Knicks put extension talks on hold ahead of title defence

The New York Knicks have put contract extension talks with Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek on hold until later in the season. The decision, announced on Friday, leaves four players eligible for new deals heading into the Knicks’ title defence without agreements in place.

Keeping every member of the championship team was already expected to be difficult. The timing matters most for Towns, while the longer-term cost of the Knicks’ starting lineup raises questions about Hart’s future.

Towns deal loses a possible structure

Towns has a $61.6 million player option for the 2027-28 season. A deal completed before the season could have used that option to make the early part of a new contract more expensive, with his salary then declining in later years.

An extension agreed during the season would require Towns to decline the option and would have to be more evenly structured. That distinction could matter in 2028-29, when Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby are due to start new deals following their player options.

The Knicks have hoped Towns would accept less than his $276 million maximum, but no deal has been reached. The option-based structure is not necessarily gone for good: Towns could pick up the option in the offseason and return to extension discussions then.

New York’s position at centre adds weight to those talks. Mitchell Robinson left in free agency, and the Knicks have limited draft capital available to pursue another high-end starter at the position.

Hart’s future comes into focus

Hart remains a key part of the starting lineup, but the cost of keeping the group together is a concern. The source’s estimate puts Brunson, Towns, Anunoby and Mikal Bridges at around 110% to 115% of the salary cap combined once their deals are finalised.

Hart has a team option, giving the Knicks a different route into negotiations from the one they face with Towns. Moving on from Hart during a bid for consecutive titles appears difficult, however, and there is no established replacement for him within the squad.

McBride’s situation presents another choice. He is on a team-friendly deal, but the Knicks have several backcourt reserves and comparatively little depth behind Towns at centre. That makes a trade involving McBride one possible way to address the imbalance, rather than a decision the club has made.

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The Knicks’ final roster spot and their early-season performances could shape those decisions. If James Wiseman makes the team and proves playable, the need to trade for another big man could ease. If Bruce Brown or Ochai Agbaji make the team, the Knicks would be left with just Towns and Andre Drummond at centre unless they clear another roster spot, making a McBride trade seem more likely.