Karl-Anthony Towns’ standout two-way play has the New York Knicks two wins from their first NBA championship since 1973, and league sources expect the club and the center to open contract-extension discussions once the season ends, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
A Finals victory would strengthen Towns’ negotiating position, but conversations are anticipated regardless of the series outcome. The 30-year-old is owed $57.1 million next season and holds a $61 million player option for 2027-28. To sign an extension this summer, he would have to decline that option; the richest possible deal projects to be worth about $272 million over four years.
Amick reports that New York is unlikely to offer the full maximum because of an already sizable payroll that is set to climb. Center Mitchell Robinson is expected to attract significant outside interest in free agency, reserve guard Landry Shamet will be unrestricted, and the Knicks could have as many as 10 players—among them all three two-way contracts—hitting the market.
Towns has outdueled Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama through the first two games of the Finals, both New York road wins, with Game 3 scheduled for Monday at Madison Square Garden. This marks only the third time the visiting team has won the opening two contests of an NBA Finals; the previous instances—the 1993 Bulls and 1995 Rockets—both resulted in championships. Since 1984, teams that win the first two road playoff games of a seven-game set have advanced 27 out of 31 times.
The Knicks paused extension talks with Towns less than a year ago, and his name later surfaced in trade scenarios involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. He was linked to additional trade speculation in January during New York’s mid-season slump that followed its NBA Cup victory over San Antonio.
Since then, Towns has helped guide the Knicks to 13 straight postseason wins, the second-longest streak in league history, and eight consecutive road victories, tying the playoff record. Through 16 playoff games he is averaging 17.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals in 30.7 minutes, while shooting .570 from the field, .481 from three and .900 at the line. Amick notes that Towns owns the top on/off differential among New York’s rotation regulars.
Source: Hoops Rumors
