The New York Knicks have made some big moves this offseason to build what looks to be a real championship contender in the Eastern Conference, which includes a trade to bring in Mikal Bridges. But on Friday, perhaps the biggest factor in the Knicks contending in the future came to fruition, which involved star point guard Jalen Brunson.
Brunson has proven to be the heart and soul of this new-look Knicks team, starring this past season and earning his first All-NBA Second Team honor.
The Knicks have done an excellent job of building around Brunson. But the money is quickly running out in New York, particularly if they want this current team to stick around together with the current salary cap in place.
On Friday, Brunson helped those concerns in a major way with his new contract extension, agreeing to a four-year, $156.5 million extension, first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
In a largely unprecedented financial concession to give roster flexibility to a contender, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson has agreed on a four-year, $156.5 million extension, his agent Sam Rose of CAA tells ESPN — $113M less guaranteed than he’s eligible to receive in one… pic.twitter.com/DDJvz7TUlr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2024
Obviously, you may be wondering why this kind of deal would help the Knicks in any way. But this deal is actually far less than the five-year max contract Brunson was eligible for if the waited until 2025.
That deal would have resulted in the Knicks giving Brunson a five-year $269 million deal, which means the Knicks saved $113 million in guaranteed money in this extension for Brunson.
The repercussions of Brunson choosing the four-year, $156.5M max deal over the five-year, $269M deal in 2025 are massive for the Knicks’ ability to keep this team together – and keep making roster moves to close the gap on a championship.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2024
As Wojnarowski illuded to, this will give the Knicks all sorts of flexibility to further build their roster throughout the duration of Brunson’s deal.
A player of Brunson’s caliber is well worth all of the guaranteed money that he could have received if he waited until 2025. But Knicks fans were quite appreciative of Brunson valuing team success over the maximum amount of money he could have received.
BUILD THE JALEN BRUNSON STATUE 🐐 pic.twitter.com/5ccgIMXK18
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) July 12, 2024
JALEN BRUNSON JUST PASSED UP ON $113M TO HELP THE NEW YORK KNICKS.
BUILD THE DAMN STATUE. pic.twitter.com/8ktL2IyXfP
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) July 12, 2024
Build him a statue 🥲
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 12, 2024
JALEN BRUNSON HAS JUST SIGNED A 4-YEAR EXTENSION WITH THE KNICKS!
He left $113M on the table to help the team's financial flexibility
KNICK FOR LIFE!!! pic.twitter.com/aLyTqhBCI1
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) July 12, 2024
Jalen Brunson goes from the best star player bargain in the NBA to holy crap that’s the best star player bargain by 1,000 miles in the NBA https://t.co/oVgT2UXEg3
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 12, 2024
He plays so incredibly hard, has become a superstar and just took a pay cut for the betterment of his team.
Jalen Brunson is the face of New York sports right now. A total throwback athlete and person. He just wants one thing: to win a title.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) July 12, 2024
Now, it is on the Knicks to find a way to continue to build a championship-caliber roster around Brunson. Because after this kind of deal, the organization certainly owes him at least that.
