Karl-Anthony Towns kept his message clear before Tuesday’s game in Boston. Even without progress on a contract extension before the Oct. 20 deadline, he said he wants to remain with the New York Knicks. Speaking ahead of his 29-point outing in a 123–117 loss to the Celtics, Towns said being close to home and family is a major factor in his desire to stay.
“Hell yeah. Hell yeah, I want to stay here,” he said. “Obviously, get a chance to be home, see my family. It means more than the money… I would like it to continue.” He also said the failed extension did not harm his relationship with the front office. “Me, Leon [Rose,] and Gersson [Rosas] and everyone, we’re great. I’ll go have lunch with them right now. We’re good.”
- Karl-Anthony Towns says he wants to stay with the Knicks, despite no contract extension being reached before the Oct. 20 deadline.
- Towns remains under contract through at least 2027, with a $61 million player option for 2027–28 and another extension window opening after the 2026 NBA Finals.
- Landry Shamet is rehabbing a sprained right shoulder suffered on Nov. 22, and the Knicks plan to keep him on the roster while he awaits reevaluation in about three weeks.
Contract Timeline and Eligibility for Future Extensions
With years remaining on his contract, the Knicks are not pressed to make a decision yet. Counting this season, he has at least two years and roughly $110 million remaining on the four-year, $220.4 million contract he originally signed with Minnesota. He holds a $61 million player option for 2027–28, which means he cannot reach free agency before 2027, and may not enter the market until 2028.
During the recent extension window, Towns was eligible to add two years and $150 million, but no agreement was reached. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, his next extension window opens after the 2026 NBA Finals, when the maximum possible offer would be about four years and $260 million. With years remaining on the current deal, both sides appear comfortable revisiting discussions later.
Adapting to Mike Brown’s System
On the floor, Towns is adjusting to a new structure under Mike Brown. Entering Tuesday’s game, he averaged 21.7 points and 11.9 rebounds while shooting 44.9%, which is his career low for efficiency. His responsibilities differ depending on whether he plays center or power forward. “Totally different system… when I’m 5 or I’m 4, it’s a totally different script for me,” he said. “Trying to impact winning as much as possible.”
As New York works within Brown’s system, the betting market has updated its view of the team. Major sportsbooks list the Knicks among the leading Eastern Conference contenders, with 2026 NBA Championship odds ranging from +900 to +1600. Their season win total is 51.5, with –105 on the Over and –115 on the Under, and early-season performance has supported outlooks aligned with the Over. Towns also appears in player prop previews for points and rebounds, though his MVP odds are +30000, placing him well outside the group of award candidates expected to contend this season.
Last year, he averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds, earned All-Star and All-NBA honors, and helped New York reach its first conference finals since 2000. This season, the Knicks’ 13–6 start and four-game winning streak brought them into second place in the Eastern Conference standings, a run that aligns with their strengthened futures pricing.
Update on Landry Shamet’s Shoulder Injury
The Knicks also received encouraging news about Landry Shamet, who is recovering from a sprained right shoulder suffered on Nov. 22 in Orlando, when the shoulder popped out of its socket. The same shoulder was dislocated during the last preseason, leading to his release before he later re-signed with the team. Shamet is on a non-guaranteed contract, but the Knicks plan to keep him on the roster during his recovery, with a reevaluation planned in about three weeks.
Mikal Bridges described Shamet’s mindset as noticeably stronger compared to last year. “I think just more his spirits,” Bridges said. He explained that last season, Shamet was in good spirits but was facing the pressure of trying to make the team. This year, with a defined role and a higher level of comfort, Bridges said Shamet has “a different type of security” and added that his positive attitude “gives me confidence, gives us all confidence, he’ll be OK and waiting for him to get back.”
