NBA champion urges Knicks to keep Karl-Anthony Towns with blunt reminder

NBA champion Cedric Maxwell has urged the New York Knicks to retain Karl-Anthony Towns, drawing a direct line between the player's impact and the team's championship victory. The two-time NBA titleist emphasized Towns' value, stating: "I don’t think you can look at Karl-Anthony Towns and let him get away from the Knicks. He’s a great scorer for them. You wouldn’t have won it without him."

Maxwell's comments come amid contract negotiations and reports of a stalled extension deal. Towns reportedly accepted an offer of around $200 million, while the Knicks' maximum deal could have been worth $276 million. The Knicks could potentially keep their core together for the next 3-5 years with Towns and Josh Hart if Towns and Hart agree to take a pay cut, according to @WindhorstESPN.

While acknowledging the financial constraints, Maxwell stressed the importance of managing the team's payroll. He believed that pockets were not limitless and that the Knicks needed to be fiscally responsible. Despite the financial considerations, Maxwell remained confident that Towns would stay with the Knicks beyond the trade deadline. He also highlighted Jalen Brunson as the team's main player, but he didn't rule out the possibility of finding a replacement for Towns if necessary.