Karl-Anthony Towns contract: Max deal with Knicks was never thought of

Karl-Anthony Towns is willing to take less money to stay with the New York Knicks and to keep the defending champions together for the foreseeable future.  The All-Star big man spoke with ESPN's Malika Andrews shortly before tip-off on opening night — which is also the banner-raising and ring ceremonies — against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers, where he provided the most clarity yet on a tense situation. "For sure... I want this team to stay together," Towns said. "That's always been my main priority was to keep everyone here, to keep this special team that we have. It was the first thing that was on my mind as soon as it was. There was nowhere in my mind where a max [contract extension] was even thought of." Towns is eligible for a four-year, $276 million max deal to keep him in New York, but talks between his representation and Knicks brass went nowhere this summer, to the point where the team tabled contract talks until later this season.  Reports indicated that the Kni