May 6, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates after scoring against the Philadelphia 76ers during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Karl-Anthony Towns is willing to take less money to stay with the New York Knicks and to keep the defending champions together for the foreseeable future.
The All-Star big man spoke with ESPN’s Malika Andrews shortly before tip-off on opening night — which is also the banner-raising and ring ceremonies — against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers, where he provided the most clarity yet on a tense situation.
“For sure… I want this team to stay together,” Towns said. “That’s always been my main priority was to keep everyone here, to keep this special team that we have. It was the first thing that was on my mind as soon as it was. There was nowhere in my mind where a max [contract extension] was even thought of.”
Towns is eligible for a four-year, $276 million max deal to keep him in New York, but talks between his representation and Knicks brass went nowhere this summer, to the point where the team tabled contract talks until later this season.
Reports indicated that the Knicks offered Towns a deal worth $200 million, meaning the 30-year-old would leave more than $70 million on the table.
“Simply put, I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me,” Towns said earlier this month. “None of those things are close to happening.”
Also asked earlier this month if he deserves a raise from the $57 million he’s making this year, Towns said: “No s–t, Sherlock. I just won a championship. You’d think it was pretty easy. Unless you guys think I have something else to prove.”
Sitting alongside Brunson on Tuesday, the Knicks’ superstar point guard, who is eligible for a max deal of his own next summer, simply said that he wants Towns to “sign a contract.”
For more on Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks, visit AMNY.com
