New York Knicks weigh Karl‑Anthony Towns extension amid payroll limits and scout two‑way centers

The Knicks are preparing a potential maximum‑value extension for Karl‑Anthony Towns this summer, but owner James Dolan has signaled he will not exceed the second tax‑bracket threshold, suggesting Towns could receive a lower salary than he seeks. Towns holds a player‑option worth $61 million for the 2027‑28 season; if declined, he becomes a free agent. The franchise also faces thin front‑court depth, with only Towns and newly signed Andrew Drummond on the roster.

To bolster the center position without hitting the salary cap, New York is exploring veteran‑minimum and two‑way contracts. Candidates include former Knicks two‑way player Trey Jemison, who split time between the NBA club and its G‑League affiliate, and former SEC Defensive Player of the Year Liam Robbins, a seven‑footer with limited NBA experience. Adding such players would provide insurance without affecting the standard 15‑player roster limit.