The New York Knicks are facing rising tension with some of their biggest stars.

LeBron James is battling multiple chronic injuries as details of his crazy travel schedule are revealed.

And a returning Australian is generating huge hype, with some backing him to return to his best.

All of this and more in the latest edition of NBA Daily.

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TENSION RISING AS KNICKS STARS LOOK FOR EXTENSIONS

The New York Knicks may be NBA champions, but some of their biggest names are being left in limbo.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are among those facing uncertain futures, with tension reportedly rising between the players and the team.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, there is a growing cloud over the Knicks, with tensions potentially rising further if Hart and Towns aren’t extended by February.

The Knicks have reportedly offered Towns a four-year, $200 million deal, well short of the four-year, $276 million maximum extension he can sign.

Towns recently spoke about his contract situation and his desire to find a deal that works for both sides.

Karl-Anthony Towns is reportedly facing a $76 million gap in contract talks with the New York Knicks.Source: AFP

“Simply put – I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me,” Towns said.

“And none of those things are close to happening.”

Marc Spears also voiced his concerns over the situation surrounding Towns while speaking on NBA on ESPN.

“I know the championship kinda cleans a lot of stuff, [but] they’re still the Knicks,” Spears said.

“Let’s not forget the past.”

But with $76 million (A$109 million) separating the two figures and potentially multiple suitors around the NBA if Towns becomes available, February shapes as an important milestone if a deal isn’t reached before then.

‘I didn’t leave my family to lose’ | 00:57

FATHER TIME CATCHING UP WITH LEBRON?

LeBron James is still one of the best players in the world, but according to a fresh report from ESPN, the 41-year-old is dealing with multiple injury concerns.

James is reportedly dealing with chronic arthritis in his left foot and sciatica in his lower back, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Those concerns have led to changes in his daily training routine, which now starts with ‘special attention’ being paid to his left foot.

The lower back issue has also been a problem for some time, with the four-time NBA champion missing the first month of last season due to the injury.

James still managed to play 60 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists while shooting 51.5 per cent from the field and 31.7 per cent from three-point range.

It comes as reports have also suggested James has been given free rein of a Fanatics helicopter when he needs to travel between Philadelphia and New York, where he is currently living.

According to TMZ, the flight takes roughly 45 minutes, with similar helicopter charters costing between $6,000 and $9,000 each way.

James is entering his 24th NBA season and despite the injury concerns and regular travel from New York, he is still reportedly the first player in the gym for practice.

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SIMMONS BACK TO PHILLY BEST

Ben Simmons has been one of the biggest talking points of the NBA offseason and ESPN’s Marc Spears is backing the former Rookie of the Year to make an impact.

“I’ve heard he’s had an outstanding camp,” Spears said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised from what I’m hearing within a month in, he’s starting.

“I think he’s doing that well, but the Kings are going slow with him.

“He looks like he’s playing with the Sixers again.”

Simmons is expected to make his Sacramento Kings debut on Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers and, if not, could return against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

He was ruled out alongside Malik Monk and Keegan Murray for Sacramento’s preseason opener against the Lakers, before the Kings travel to LA to face them again.

Simmons last played in the NBA during the 2024-25 season, splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.

He played 51 games that season, averaging five points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.

His best season came in 2018-19 with Philadelphia, when he averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

CLIPPERS GUARD ADDS TO INJURY TOLL

Max Strus has gone down with a foot injury during a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors.

The shooting guard went down after catching the ball, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting Strus suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot.

Strus is expected to be reevaluated in four weeks, putting his availability for the start of the season under a cloud.

It adds to the Clippers’ growing injury concerns after Brandon Ingram, who arrived from the Toronto Raptors as part of the Kawhi Leonard trade, came across already injured.

Ingram is expected to miss the start of the NBA season with a partially torn Achilles.

FORMER NBL NEXT STAR GOES DOWN

Ariel Hukporti’s fresh campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers has already come to a devastating end after tearing his Achilles.

The former Melbourne United Next Star joined the 76ers after winning a championship with the New York Knicks last season.

But the 24-year-old went down during a preseason game against his former side, with The Athletic reporting Hukporti has torn his Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season.

Following the injury, Knicks players surrounded their former teammate as he remained on the court, with the commentary team picking up on the moment.

“All the Knick players came out,” they said.

It was a touching moment, but a devastating one for Hukporti, who was preparing for a fresh opportunity in Philadelphia alongside LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey.