After winning a championship, Karl-Anthony Towns wrongly believed his contract extension negotiations would go smoothly — especially since he’s willing to take a discount.
Instead, he clearly feels disrespected.
“Simply put, I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me,” Towns said Monday before the preseason opener. “And none of those things are close to happening.”
Asked about the possibility of an agreement before the regular season starts, Towns said, “It don’t look good.”
The Knicks and Towns have been far apart in talks since he became eligible for an extension in August. He is eligible for a four-year, $277 million extension and publicly stated his willingness to accept a discount, but obviously not one as drastic as the what the Knicks are offering.
The Knicks, The Post confirmed, offered around four years, $200 million — $77 million less than his max.
Asked if he’s thinking that he should be rewarded for last season, Towns responded, “No s–t Sherlock. I just won a championship. You’d think it was pretty easy. Unless you guys (reporters) think I have something else to prove.”
Towns, Josh Hart and Miles McBride are all eligible for extensions until June but there appears to be little traction with any of their negotiations.
As mandated by owner James Dolan, the Knicks are trying to remain under the second apron while taking into account an upcoming extension for Jalen Brunson – who is eligible next year.
