Knicks Could Negotiate New Contract With Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns could sign a new contract with the New York Knicks.

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns prepares to shoot a free throw against the Indiana Pacers. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

As a member of the All-NBA Team this season, New York Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns is eligible for a contract extension.

Towns has a while until he becomes a free agent, but added security is certainly never a bad thing for a player in the NBA.

ESPN insider Bobby Marks looks into Towns' contract situation with the Knicks.

"Towns continues to play at an All-NBA level offensively, and as a result should be in the discussion to receive a new contract. He joined Nikola Jokic as the only players this season to average 20 points, 10 rebounds and 40% shooting on 3-pointers. Towns' 56 double-doubles were the third most in the league," Marks wrote.

"But here is where things get complicated."

"Towns is under contract for the next three seasons ($53.1 million, $57.1 million and $61 million). The last year is a player option. By extending his contract an additional two years and $150 million, New York would be paying a player in his mid-30s an average salary of $75 million."

The Knicks may be hesitant to commit longer than three years to Towns given the fact that the team is still looking to make upgrades. There's a chance that Towns gets traded in the offseason in order to land a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant, so the Knicks likely won't make a move to extend him.

If the Knicks strike out on those players this offseason, the door may re-open for Towns as the deadline for an extension isn't until Oct. 20. However, the Knicks need to figure out if he is part of the long-term puzzle before giving him any more money beyond what he is owed in his current contract.

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