Windhorst: “What KAT does will determine if Knicks core can stay together…He's got a $61 million option for (not this season) next season. Knicks have said ‘we don't wanna be in 2nd apron.’ If he picks up that option they're gonna be in the 2nd apron. So what they are gonna ultimately need him to do is not take that option and reduce that, and that is the basis for this conversation. That is the basis for all of it. Now, even though there may be a hard feeling or two between the front office and Karl in the coming months about this, ultimately I think this is gonna get done because Karl is represented by CAA, and CAA and the Knicks are like this. They're completely intertwined with each other. Leon Rose used to be his agent. And I believe ultimately that CAA and the Knicks will come to an agreement here. They represent Jalen Brunson. They represent a bunch of other players on the team. They'll get a deal done….
Wirh one caveat…
If James Dolan messes this up.
…Let Leon Rose and CAA do their business, and I think Karl-Anthony Towns will figure it out
…Dolan has issued edict— no second apron come hell or high water…If that indeed remains the case and they proceed that way with Karl Towns, he will have the option to go someplace and get a max…obviously he's not being offered the max 'cause then he'd sign it, okay? And I think he's probably open to taking less than the max…he’s open to not taking $276 million. He wants to be in New York. He wants the team to stay together. But if Jim Dolan sets an ironclad spot and forces Karl to the market, he will have max offers. He can get that kind of money next summer if he wants to. But I honestly believe this is all gonna work out even if, again, you hear a little bit of, uh, wavering in the first couple of days of camp”