Can the Knicks repeat? Reggie Miller says yes, but they need to solve the Karl-Anthony Towns contract

STAMFORD, Conn. — Repeat after Reggie Miller: The Knicks’ chances of winning back-to-back NBA championships are not helped by the current contract situation involving Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Knicks have ended extension negotiations to focus on the season. Towns isn’t thrilled by that. But starting next Tuesday against LeBron James and the 76ers, it’s time for the Knicks to begin their championship defense.

“You hope behind closed doors the contract stuff doesn't become an issue,” Miller said on Monday at an NBA on NBC media event at the network’s Stamford production center. “I like the Knicks coming out publicly and saying we're going to table discussions until a later date. That doesn't mean they're not going to negotiate. It basically means you guys [media] can't ask the players about their contract situation.”

Towns is eligible for a four-year, $277 million extension. The Knicks reportedly have offered four years and $200 million.

“If they want to be successful and they want to have a chance to repeat,” Miller said, “you're going to need a healthy KAT mentally. You don't want him being a malcontent, worrying about his contract behind closed doors. Because when KAT is at his best and on board, they're hard to beat. But if he's worried about his contract situation . . . I think a deal will get done. It's going to be between the 200 and the 277. So meet in the middle, sign it, and let's move on.”

NBC studio analyst Carmelo Anthony, who went through his own issues with the Knicks front office before he was traded to Oklahoma City in 2017, said he doesn’t think the contract situation will be a drag on the Knicks once they step on the floor.

“I think the conversation is going to be there,” Anthony said. “I think that's going to be the elephant in the room. But I do think the Knicks and along with KAT himself, they did a great job of just shutting the conversation off, just allowing this to be about basketball and being about us trying to win another championship, as opposed to every question is about contract, contract, contract. Trust me, I've been there before, and I don't think the Knicks or KAT want to have to deal with that.”

Miller said the larger issue for the Knicks may be that the East has gotten better since last season.

“They have a great chance of repeating,” Miller said. “The problem is the East has gotten so much better and now the Knicks will have a bullseye on their back every single game because they're the champs. Every night they take the floor, they've got to play their best. That wasn't the case the last few years.”