Knicks refuse to go over one threshold during Karl-Anthony Towns contract extension discussions

Knicks refuse to go over one threshold during Karl-Anthony Towns contract extension discussions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The New York Knicks are in quite the situation with Karl-Anthony Towns and his contract extension, as they are trying to preserve enough money for all parties involved. However, it might not work out that way in the end for various reasons.

>Contract talks haven’t really gone anywhere, but that is okay considering it is just training camp. What isn’t that great is Towns coming out and putting the entire situation out there, saying that nothing has come close.

>“Simply put – I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me. And none of those things are close to happening," Towns said.

>New York is coming off a championship, and keeping the team together is exactly what they are hoping to accomplish. For right now, it has been reported that the two sides are far away, and the Knicks have offered $200 million.

>“The Knicks have offered KAT around $200 million, league sources confirmed to The Post, which is $77 million less than his max," New York Post's Stefan Bondy wrote.

>There is one reason that New York is going to be careful about what they offer. The reason is simple: owner James Dolan made it clear back in June that he would not be going over the second apron.

>“As noted previously, Knicks past offers to Karl-Anthony Towns have included deals starting at 45M-50M. Towns’ comments this morning made clear that he has no interest in what Knicks have offered. Will Knicks’ increase their offer? Should be noted that are voluntarily limited by 2nd apron. Owner James Dolan said on WFAN in June that club will not be exceeding second apron in team salary this season,” SNY’s Ian Begley wrote.

>This clears some things up, but for Towns, he has to realize that he is only going to get a certain amount because the Knicks aren’t going to flirt with the second apron. Towns is going to get significantly less money for this reason.

>If Towns wants to chase a championship and remain with the Knicks, he is going to have to understand their thought process. It remains to be seen what is going to happen, but New York will not be going anywhere near the second apron.

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