Knicks Add Veterans; Towns Contract Talks Frozen

The New York Knicks enter the 2025-26 season as one of the Eastern Conference favorites after an Eastern Conference Finals run, hiring Mike Brown to speed up the offense around a core of Jalen Brunson, Karl‑Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby. Contract talks for Towns are reportedly frozen with an Oct. 20 deadline amid sharp internal disagreement about committing to him long‑term given his injury history and a $61 million player option in 2027. Brown faces a tactical dilemma over Towns’ role—whether to play him as a five‑out center or alongside Mitchell Robinson for defense and rebounding—which has fueled trade speculation, including reported interest in Utah center Walker Kessler as the Knicks hunt frontcourt depth. Offseason bench additions and low‑risk signings, including Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele, Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet and Exhibit 10 deals for Garrison Mathews and Bryson Warren, are intended to add shooting, flexibility and to ease Brunson’s workload. With training camp imminent and the front office still tinkering, the Knicks are positioning aggressively to contend but face key roster and cap decisions before the season and trade deadlines.