Knicks Reopen Path to 2 Extensions for Towns, Hart Under Second Apron

Q: Are the Knicks secretly planning a blockbuster sign-and-trade for Towns by lowballing his maximum extension offer?

There is no solid evidence the Knicks are secretly setting up a blockbuster sign-and-trade for Karl-Anthony Towns. The far more credible explanation is cap management. Everything publicly reported points to New York trying to stay below the NBA’s second apron, which sharply limits trades, signings and roster flexibility. Owner James Dolan has made clear he does not want the team operating above that line. That makes Towns’ extension less about his on-court value and more about preserving room for the rest of the core, including future deals involving Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Miles McBride. The reported offer — roughly four years, $200 million versus Towns’ $276 million max — fits that strategy. It is a significant gap, and Towns has openly said he feels the Knicks have not come close to both valuing him and keeping the team together. But a below-max offer by itself does not signal a trade plan. It signals leverage and financial caution. A sign-and-trade is also not the cleanest or likeliest path. If the Knicks are trying to avoid apron restrictions, relying on a sign-and-trade would be risky because teams above the second apron face major limits in acquiring players that way. Just as important, Towns still has substantial leverage through his contract, including a $61.1 million player option for 2027-28. The more likely scenario is continued pressure toward a compromise extension later in the season or next summer, not a hidden trade blueprint.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Oct 9

Scenarios presented to the Knicks within the past month show Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart could both sign long-term extensions while keeping New York under the second apron in 2027-28.
Both players are willing to take team-friendly structures to make that work, according to Bobby Marks, easing the cap pressure that had stalled negotiations.
The shift follows Friday reports that New York had suspended extension talks over spending concerns; Towns was eligible for $276 million and Hart for $132 million.
Staying below the second apron remains a central constraint for owner James Dolan, making any Towns-Hart deal structure critical to the Knicks' longer-term roster planning.