Karl-Anthony Towns would love to extend Knicks stay as contract talks await

BOSTON – Despite no traction on a contract extension, Karl-Anthony Towns said his relationship with the front office remains strong and he hopes to continue his career with the Knicks. 

“Hell yeah, hell yeah. I want to stay here,” Towns said. “Obviously get a chance to be home, see my family. It means more than the money, you know. 

“So just to be able to be here with the fans, be with the family. It means a lot. I would like it to continue.” 

Towns and the Knicks failed to reach an agreement during the extension window before the Oct. 20 deadline, when he was eligible for two years and $150 million tacked on to his current deal. 

He will again be eligible for an extension after the 2026 NBA Finals, according to ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks. 

“Me, (team president Leon Rose) and (Senior VP of B-ball operations Gersson Rosas) and everyone, we’re great,” Towns said. “I’ll go have lunch with them right now. We’re good.”

Counting this season, Towns, 30, has at least two years and roughly $110 million remaining on his contract. In other words, he can’t become a free agent until at least 2027. He also has a $61 million player option for the 2027-28 season, so there’s a decent chance he won’t hit the market until 2028. 

With so much time remaining on Towns’ contract, there was no rush from the Knicks to get a deal done before this season.

But the conversation will become more important after the Finals. 

Towns entered Tuesday’s game against the Celtics averaging 21.7 points and 11.9 rebounds  44.9 percent shooting. It’s a career low for efficiency as Towns adjusts to Mike Brown’s system, with better results when he plays center instead of power forward. 

“It’s just a different place I’m in in our system. Totally different system. So when I’m 5 or I’m 4, it’s a totally different script for me in the game,” Towns said. “Trying to impact winning as much as possible and I’m happy I’m able to do that so far this year.”