New Karl-Anthony Towns Rumors on NBA Teams 'Studying' Knicks Talks amid Warriors, Clippers Links

As Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks remain at a standstill over a new contract, the six-time All-Star's future is a key storyline with the regular season set to tip off on Tuesday.

Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst , opposing teams are currently "studying" what the Knicks are doing to see if the door remains open to Towns potentially leaving New York.

"If Towns isn't extended, he could opt out and enter free agency," Windhorst wrote. "There definitely are teams — starting with the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers and Atlanta Hawks — that would probably line up to make big offers. This is what other teams are studying with the Knicks."

All three teams Windhorst cited are currently projected to have cap space going into 2027-28 to potentially sign Towns.

Towns is owed $57.1 million this season with a $61 million player option for 2027-28.

There has been no indication thus far that Towns and the Knicks will close the gap on their contract talks. A Knicks spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania on Oct. 9 the club was pausing all extension talks "until later in the season" to focus on the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

That leaves Towns, Josh Hart and Miles McBride in a situation where they could all become free agents next summer.

Towns has expressed a willingness to give the Knicks a discount on an extension, but the club doesn't appear to have come close to reaching a number he deems fair.

The Athletic's James Edwards III reported on Oct. 11 that New York's offer to Towns has been in the range of $200 million total. He is eligible to sign for up to $276 million over four years.

Knicks governor James Dolan has been adamant about never going into the second apron.

Combine that sentiment with Jalen Brunson being eligible to extend next summer on a deal worth around $300 million, it's hard to see a path where Towns remains on the Knicks barring some give from both his camp and Dolan's side.

After some growing pains in his first season playing in head coach Mike Brown's system, Towns finished the 2025-26 campaign strong. He averaged 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 75 starts.

The Knicks will get their championship rings and tipoff the 2026-27 regular season on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden when they host the Philadelphia 76ers.