The reigning NBA champion New York Knicks have tabled all contract extension discussions until later in the regular season.
"As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of," a team spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania in a statement Thursday. "As a result, we will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season."
Friday's announcement comes amid Karl-Anthony Towns' contract impasse with the team.
Towns is eligible for a four-year, $276-million extension. The Knicks' latest offer to him was a four-year contract worth around $200 million, sources told Charania.
Towns said Monday that his chances of signing a new deal before the start of the season were slim.
"It don't look good," he said, according to ESPN.
He added: "Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks. ... None of those things have come close to happening."
The 30-year-old Kentucky product is slated to earn $57 million this season. He has a $61.1-million player option in 2027-28, per Spotrac.
Towns is among four Knicks players who are eligible for extensions. Josh Hart will earn $20.9 million this season, and the Knicks hold a $22.3-million team option in 2027-28. Guards Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek can also negotiate new deals.
Knicks owner James Dolan has repeatedly said the team won't go into the second spending apron.
