Karl-Anthony Towns could leave the Knicks due to a decision by the team owner

The future of Karl-Anthony Towns with the New York Knicks could be determined by a decision that goes beyond the All-Star's performance on the court. After helping the franchise win its first championship in 53 years, Towns now faces the possibility of signing a new contract extension, but the owner's reluctance, James Dolan, to exceed the second salary tier could complicate the center's continuity.

Towns still has two seasons remaining on his current four-year, $220.4 million contract, but he is already in a position to negotiate a maximum salary extension. However, talks with the Knicks do not seem to have progressed to the point of reaching an agreement, a situation that could raise questions about the player's future in New York.

An extension that could reach $275 million

The economic dimension of a possible renewal is one of the main elements shaping the scenario. Brian Windhorst of ESPN addressed the situation on the podcast The Hoop Collective and explained that a maximum four-year extension could be around $275 million.

"I think a maximum four-year extension would be around $275 million. That's a huge number. Obviously, if the Knicks were thinking along those lines, they would have offered it, and he would have signed it by now," Windhorst said. "So the conversations they've had clearly haven't gone in that direction. I don't want to use the word 'offer' lightly here, because that tends to generate intense reactions, but whatever they've discussed hasn't advanced with Karl so far. Therefore, the final decision will depend on Karl and what he wants to do about it publicly."

The situation leaves Towns facing a possible decision about his future while New York assesses how far it is willing to go financially. The player has demonstrated during his time with the Knicks that he can play a significant role on a championship team, but the cost of maintaining the roster could become a determining factor.

James Dolan maintains his stance on the second salary tier

The other central element of the situation is James Dolan's public position regarding the so-called second apron. The Knicks' owner has expressed his reluctance for the franchise to exceed that salary cap in the near future.

Windhorst specifically recalled that stance when analyzing the possibility that New York could maintain its current project around Towns.

"Jim Dolan has publicly stated that he will not exceed the second salary tier," Windhorst added. "Now, this is not a courtroom; he can change his mind. But if the Knicks adhere to Jim Dolan's directive of not crossing that line—having come close for three consecutive years without exceeding it—and sign Karl Towns to an extension close to the $60 million he would earn next year anyway, they won't be able to keep this team together."

The issue, therefore, is not limited to how much Towns could earn. The scenario posed by Windhorst suggests that a renewal of that nature would have implications on the Knicks' ability to keep the rest of their roster within the set financial limits.

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Towns arrives at this situation after being a champion

Towns' position in the negotiations is also backed by what he achieved during the past season. The All-Star was part of the team that helped the Knicks end a 53-year championship drought, becoming an important piece within the structure of the New York squad.

Moreover, his statistics reflect notable production during the season. Towns finished with averages of 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, demonstrating his ability to contribute in various facets of the game.

The context makes his future a particularly relevant issue for the Knicks. On one hand, the franchise has a player who just participated in a championship team and still has two years left on his contract. On the other hand, a potential maximum extension would come at a very high cost and could clash with Dolan's intention to remain below the second salary tier.

The decision now rests with Towns and the Knicks

For now, there is no agreement on a new extension, and discussions have not progressed to the figures that have been set as reference. Towns can remain contractually tied to the Knicks for the next two seasons, but the possibility of an early renewal introduces a new variable into the team's future.

Windhorst's words suggest that the situation will depend on both the player's willingness and the franchise's final stance. If Dolan maintains his directive of not exceeding the second salary tier, New York's financial margin could be constrained.

The situation could change if the owner modifies his stance, something Windhorst himself left open by reminding that "he can change his mind." Until then, Towns' continuity beyond his current contract will be tied to an economic issue that directly affects the Knicks' planning.

After a season in which Towns helped New York win the championship and averaged 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, his future now faces a negotiation that could have significant consequences for the team's composition.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Karl-Anthony Towns podría irse de los Knicks por una decisión del dueño del equipo