Towns' max extension could force Knicks into a rebuild, Windhorst warns

Karl-Anthony Towns is eligible for a four-year, roughly $276M extension with New York. ESPN's Brian Windhorst said owner James Dolan has set a line at the second luxury tax apron, and paying Towns the max would force the Knicks to break up the roster.

New York Post reporter Stefan Bondy reported the Knicks have offered around four years and $200M, well under the max. Towns, making $57.1M this season with a $61M player option for 2027-28, has said he'd take a discount but not that steep a one.

He told reporters Monday a new deal before the season looks unlikely, though Windhorst said he still prefers to stay long term.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported talks have stagnated after running all summer, calling them cordial but going nowhere and unlikely to resolve before camp. There's no deadline forcing a decision, but Charania called it a cloud hanging over camp.