finance
Knicks discuss retaining Robinson and Shamet if Towns takes reduced extension
New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns is eligible for a four-year, $272 million contract extension. ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst said a salary reduction by Towns and Josh Hart could allow the team to re-sign Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet. Owner James Dolan stated the franchise will not exceed the NBA's second apron salary threshold.
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New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns is eligible for a four-year, $272 million contract extension this summer. ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst said Friday that if Towns and teammate Josh Hart accept salary reductions totaling roughly $7-10 million across multiple seasons, the Knicks could retain unrestricted free agents Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet.
Windhorst stated that accepting the full maximum extension would make it difficult for the Knicks to keep the current roster intact after next season. The team is projected to finish $13 million under the second apron next season, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks, after finishing $200,000 under the threshold this past season.
Dolan said this week on WFAN radio that the Knicks will not exceed the second apron, a salary threshold that imposes restrictions on trades, free agency, and draft assets for teams that surpass it. The five starters from the 2025-26 season remain under contract for at least two more years.
Jose Alvarado is also scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Monday. If the Knicks stay below the second apron, changes would be limited to the bench rather than the starting lineup.
Point guard Jalen Brunson signed a 2022 contract worth more than $104 million and later agreed to a $156.6 million extension in 2024, forgoing an estimated $113 million compared with a potential free-agent offer of $269 million over five years. The resulting salary-cap flexibility allowed the Knicks to acquire Towns and Mikal Bridges.
