The New York Knicks are currently facing contract-related issues with two of their championship-winning stars, and Stephen A. Smith is pointing the finger at owner James Dolan.
The New York Knicks held the title of one of the NBA’s most poorly run organisations for a large part of the late 2000s and the 2010s. Owner James Dolan was criticised prominently time and again, until the Knicks finally won it all in 2026 after 53 years without a championship.
This was their summer to celebrate and build upon their title win so they can set themselves up for even more future success. However, they are already embroiled in tough contract discussions with two of their stars in Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart. Stephen A. Smith has accused Dolan of being the problem.
Stephen A. Smith says the Knicks’ championship will give James Dolan a licence to do nothing
Karl-Anthony Towns is effectively in the final year of his contract, considering that he has a player option for the 2027-28 NBA season. Talks between him and the franchise over an extension have reportedly broken down after the Knicks offered him a lot less than what he is eligible to get.
Hart’s situation is a bit different; his contract has a team option for next season. Considering their roles in the championship, though, fans might think that they should be getting paid what they ask for. Stephen A. has pointed out why that isn’t the case.
“I’m going to make an accusation and it’s just an accusation,” Smith said. “This is my concern. James Dolan is a champion. And that one championship, in my opinion, based on what we have seen from him since, is going to give him the license to say, ‘H***, I already delivered a championship. I ain’t gotta do nothing more for another quarter century.’
“So it ain’t gonna be about prioritising winning. It ain’t gonna be about prioritising doing the right thing. It’s going to be about saving a dollar, even though the man is a billionaire.
“Karl-Anthony Towns is due a $277 million extension, here comes James Dolan offering him $200 million. Really? $77 million below? You couldn’t do something more respectful than that? Nah. Because he ain’t wanna touch the second apron.”
If the Knicks are not able to keep their roster together, then long-term success seems like it is certainly off the table. The franchise has definitely earned some breathing room after their title victory, but Dolan and the hierarchy cannot afford to get complacent, either. Things change fast in the NBA.
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