Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t sugarcoat his emotions.
The Knicks’ decision to cut off contract extension talks via a statement released Friday didn’t sit well with him, coming as “news to me.”
“Obviously very disappointed, to say the least. Let’s be honest here,” the big man said Sunday. “But even though there was no business done, there’s still business to be handled. After 53 years, we found a way to bring this trophy back to New York, and we intend for it to stay in New York.”
Towns had been vocal about the stalled talks, especially since the Knicks are coming off their first championship since 1973. The Post previously reported the Knicks offered Towns a four-year deal worth about $200 million. That is $77 million less than his max and a pay cut from his current $57 million salary. Towns is willing to take a discount, but not such a drastic one.
Last week, Towns said he was surprised a new deal hadn’t materialized. When asked if he expected one, the six-time All-Star 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.”
An extension isn’t coming for the foreseeable future after the Knicks said Friday they “will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season.”
Josh Hart and Miles McBride are also eligible for extensions. The front office is navigating owner James Dolan’s mandate to stay under the second apron.
Hart broached the topic Saturday, saying he won’t let his contract interfere with the task at hand. The Knicks hold a $22.3 million team option on Hart for 2027-28.
“Obviously, we have high expectations,” Hart said. “It’s good to be able to just focus on the season and keep it moving.”
Complicating matters, Towns has until Oct. 19 to decline his $61 million player option for 2027-28. Otherwise, he cannot sign a contract extension with the Knicks during the regular season — assuming the franchise reopens talks.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve thought about it, because I never thought it would get to this point,” said Towns, who played a key role in the Knicks winning it all last June, averaging 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists in the playoffs. “But I think right now what’s best for our team is we just focus on the basketball.”
Towns seems on board with focusing on the coming season. While he wants a contract extension, it won’t get in the way of the ultimate goal: another title.
“We’re all humans, but what I do say is true: My only philosophy since we won and the only thing I’ve had in my mind is how do we win another one,” he said. “For me, the same focus I came in this season with is the same focus I’ll go into Game 1 with: How do we keep the trophy in New York past just this one summer?”
