All offseason, the Detroit Pistons had a center problem, with Jalen Duren's unresolved future that could've turned into him accepting the qualifying offer. Now, with preseason underway, the Knicks have taken that title, since they haven't agreed to an extension with Karl-Anthony Towns, and as he said Monday, the odds of that happening before the regular season starts "don't look good."
Towns has a $61 million player option for 2027-28 that he could decline to become an unrestricted free agent, a position that the Knicks shouldn't want him to get to. New York is already up against the second apron, a territory James Dolan has already said they won't enter.
As Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported, the Knicks offered Towns $200 million over four years, $77 million less than he is eligible for. That wasn't enough for KAT, as he feels it's less than he deserves (subscription required) after helping them win a championship.
“Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me. None of those things have come close to happening."
After Pistons fans heard for months that Duren didn't feel valued, it's nice to see the Knicks take Detroit's place, even more so because it could lead to Towns leaving.
Pistons solved their Jalen Duren problem
For better or worse, Duren agreed to sign Detroit's $200 million fully guaranteed contract, which was, of course, the far better alternative to playing out the season on his $9.6 million qualifying offer. The Pistons believe that, at just 22, he'll live up to it.
Based on what he told the media on Sunday, Detroit is the only place he's ever wanted to be. You'd think the Pistons were holding him hostage by offering him $200 million, but that's not the case. He acknowledged his mistakes and said that he learned to turn his "frustration and anger" over his play and how the season ended into "enhancing" himself, on and off the court.
There doesn't seem to be any lingering tension on his end, which is great news as the regular season starts in two weeks. They've finally been able to close that emotionally and mentally draining chapter, which the Knicks may not do with Towns, at least not right away.
Attention is on the Knicks, not the Pistons
Now that Duren's saga is over, attention is fully on Towns and New York, especially after KAT applied pressure. ESPN's Shams Charania described it as a "growing cloud" around the team, and it will only grow the longer the saga drags on, as Detroit fans know well.
New York is already entering the season with a target on its back after winning the championship, so it's not ideal for the Knicks to face a contract dilemma with one of its best players as well. They know how to tune out the outside noise, but that doesn't mean it won't be a distraction, especially with KAT making it known how he feels.
To think Detroit could've been in a similar position, whether because Duren accepted his qualifying offer or chose to hold out rather than sign the Pistons' offer. Rather than deal with nonstop questions about the 22-year-old's future, it's Towns and the Knicks who are facing them.
Add us as a preferred source on Google