Karl-Anthony Towns has been the Knicks' steadiest starter, and he is still playing without an extension

Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points and 20 rebounds in Tuesday's 111-97 win over Detroit, the Knicks' first of the season. It was the 14th time in his career he has had at least 25 and 20, and the fourth time with New York, ESPN's Vincent Goodwill reported. Coach Mike Brown said he had challenged Towns at halftime to deal with Pistons center Paul Reed, who had been beating him to rebounds and putbacks. Detroit scored 25 points in the second and third quarters combined.

Through four games Towns is averaging 22.5 points and 14.0 rebounds and shooting 35 of 58 (60.3%). He has scored at least 19 in every game, and Goodwill wrote that he is the Knick who has kept playing to his own standard through the slow start.

He is doing it without the contract he wanted. On Oct. 9 the Knicks said they would not negotiate extensions "until later in the season," a team spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania, shutting down talks with Towns and Josh Hart, and with reserves Deuce McBride and Tyler Kolek.

The gap

Towns is eligible for a four-year extension worth more than $276 million. The Knicks' latest offer was about four years and $200 million, according to Charania. Towns is due $57 million this season and holds a $61.1 million player option for 2027-28. If the two sides reopen talks during the season, he would have to decline that option first.

The reason for the gap is the salary cap's second apron. Owner James Dolan has said the Knicks will not go over it, and that line has already cost them: backup center Mitchell Robinson left for Boston this summer on a deal starting at $15 million, and the Knicks replaced him with Andre Drummond at the veteran minimum, ESPN reported.

Towns said after the Knicks' announcement that it was news to him. In an ESPN insiders' breakdown on the eve of the season, Ben Golliver argued that a four-year deal around $220 million would split the difference, and Zach Kram put a fair value near $50 million a year. Towns turns 31 next month.

What comes next

The extension window does not close until June 30, so nothing has to happen this fall. Hart is in the same position: he makes $20.9 million this season, and the Knicks hold a $22.3 million team option for 2027-28. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby become eligible for extensions next offseason, so the next contract decisions will not stop with Towns.

Towns' next game is tonight at Chicago, 8 p.m. Eastern; the game page has the board, and the Knicks schedule has the rest.