Karl-Anthony Towns reveals why hed take a pay cut to stay with Knicks as contract drama lingers

Even as the Knicks prepare to celebrate the franchise’s first NBA title in 53 years, the topic of Karl-Anthony Towns’ future remains at the top of everyone’s minds. During an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Towns said he would be willing to take a pay cut in order to keep the championship-winning squad together. “Because I want this team to stay together,” Towns said when asked to expand on his answer.“That’s always been my main priority was to keep everyone here, to keep this core, this special team that we have.

So it was the first thing on my mind as soon as it was.And there was nowhere in my mind a max was even thought of.” Jalen Brunson was sitting next to Towns for the interview, and when Andrews turned her attention to him to ask what he hoped to see happen with Towns, Brunson had a simple reply. “Sign the contract,” he said before breaking out into laughter and a smile, with KAT doing the same next to him. Towns is headed into the final guaranteed year of his contract after playing a key role in the Knicks’ title run last spring when he averaged 15.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. The Knicks said via a statement earlier this month that they were cutting off contract extension talks “until later in the season,” which came as news to Towns. “Obviously very disappointed, to say the least.

Let’s be honest here,” the big man said Sunday.“But even though there was no business done, there’s still business to be handled.

After 53 years, we found a way to bring this trophy back to New York, and we intend for it to stay in New York.”The Knicks open their season on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden and will celebrate their title with a ceremony before they face the 76ers....