Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns have a $120 million reason to consider a trade

Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns have a $120 million reason to consider a trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns will face a crossroads soon.

First, they'd like to keep this playoff run going for a while.

But whenever the postseason ends, Towns' contract will come into focus. It's not over yet, but Towns can opt out and become a free agent after the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps.

Towns has two years and $120 million remaining on his contract after this season, although that includes the season he could opt-out before reaching. Still, that's already a quality payday, and Towns might want more.

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That sets this offseason up as a time to consider a contract extension. But if the playoffs fizzle out, it could also make this the time to think about a trade.

An acquiring team would want to get Towns in time to line up their own extension with him.

"They're probably in a spot with KAT that they should either extend him or look to trade him," an East executive told the on Tuesday. "If this playoff run convinces everyone this is a good fit, maybe they can get him to take a little discount off his max like did and help them keep the core together."