Knicks tabling contract extension talks until later in season

The New York Knicks are pausing all contract extension talks until later in the season, a team spokesperson announced on Friday.

"As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of. As a result, we will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season."

Towns and the Knicks have been in a contract dispute throughout the off-season after New York won its first NBA championship in 53 years. He is eligible to sign a four-year, $277-million extension that would kick in next season, when he has a $61-million player option on his current deal.

However, the Knicks offered the star centre four years and $200 million, well below the max. Towns is willing to take a discount, but a sizable gap remains in negotiations, per NBA on Prime's Chris Haynes .

Towns, acquired in a stunning pre-season trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves two years ago, was an integral part of the Knicks' championship run last season, averaging a 15.9-point, 10.6-rebound double-double across 19 playoff games.

Those numbers were down, however, from his regular-season averages of 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds.

Beyond Towns' looming extension, the Knicks have yet to give Josh Hart a new contract, and he could hit free agency after this season.

If no agreements are reached, the Knicks could see two key members of their core hit the open market in 2027.