New Knicks Rumors on Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart Contract Talks, Deuce McBride Trade Buzz

With the NBA season just over a week away, the focus around the New York Knicks has been less about their title defense and more about contract talks with their stars.

Amid talks with Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart, the Knicks announced that they're pausing all contract negotiations until later in the season.

That, of course, affects Towns and Hart, and NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer noted it also impacts Deuce McBride and Tyler Kolek, both of whom are on the final years of their respective deals.

According to Stein and Fischer, "Towns was the only member of that foursome whose camp had been seriously engaged by the Knicks at the time of Friday's statement."

The two insiders added that the Knicks have "prioritized talks with Towns over Hart to this point."

Hart has a $22.4 million team option next year, so it remains to be seen whether he'll enter free agency. Both he and Towns posted messages on social media that should encourage the fan base.

While it would be a bit surprising to see either Towns or Hart be traded this season, the same can't be said for McBride. Stein and Fischer reported that rival teams have described him as "a likely trade candidate as the season unfolds given the uncertainty surrounding his own Knicks future."

McBride was a solid role player on a championship team last year, and his affordable, expiring contract will certainly interest contenders as the trade deadline nears.