Many stars said they wanted to play for the Knicks. Some people actually tried it.
And only one – Jalen Brunson – was willing to potentially give up more than $100 million to remain the head man at MSG.
Brunson agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million extension on Friday, the team announced, in a gesture that will further appeal to Knicks fans.
Brunson’s friend and teammate Josh Hart echoed the sentiment of the fan base, tweeting after the news broke, “Make a statue of him.”
It was a move that wasn’t too surprising given the rumblings that preceded Brunson’s extension eligibility, but was still shocking from a financial standpoint.
If the 27-year-old Brunson had waited until next summer for free agency, he could have signed a five-year contract worth approximately $270 million.
There was some risk associated with waiting – what if he suffered a serious injury the following season? – But the point guard has already established himself as a Max player when healthy.
A source confirmed that the fourth year on the extension is a player option, setting up an opportunity for Brunson to recoup some of the millions he sacrificed on his next contract.
But even in the ideal hypothetical scenario — where Brunson signs a free-agent max contract in 2028 — he can’t make up the difference of nearly $37 million over the first three years of the extension.
“Jalen signing a long-term extension to remain with the Knicks reflects his dedication and passion for the organization, the fans and this city,” team president Leon Rose said in a statement. “Jalen has often called the Knicks his family and we are very proud to have him wear and represent our orange and blue for years to come. … Since Jalen joined us two years ago, he has consistently led by example and shown his willingness to sacrifice for this organization.”
By taking a team-friendly deal, Brunson eased some of the Knicks’ cap concerns and potentially helped them avoid the dreaded second apron – the highest luxury-tax threshold that severely limits a team’s ability to build a roster – because They compete for a title.
According to ESPN, Brunson studied the financial sacrifices of Derek Jeter, Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady for a “blueprint” of building continued success around Starr’s contract.
Of course, Friday’s deal wouldn’t have been possible if Brunson wasn’t happy playing in New York. It’s hard to imagine a better situation for a point guard.
His dad is the assistant coach, his longtime family friend (Rose) is the team president, his head coach (Tom Thibodeau) is a big fan and his Villanova friends are on the team.
The core guys around him – OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Julius Randle, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Mitchell Robinson – are all between the ages of 26 and 29.
This is their prime window after a 50-win season and elimination in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, a finish that left Brunson dissatisfied despite the Knicks’ spate of injuries.
”I would say there are pros and cons to the way I played,” Brunson said after moving into the playoff scoring tier, tying with Michael Jordan. “The good thing is that I played well individually at certain points and times during the playoffs. The disadvantage is that I couldn’t play well enough to help my team advance. You could say I got hurt in Game 7 (against the Pacers, when Brunson fractured his hand). I wasn’t playing well in Game 7. We had a 2-0 (series) lead and a 3-2 lead. So, it’s hard to see things personally when you don’t help your team.
With the notable exception of Randle, most of the top Knicks players are locked in for at least the 2025-26 season (Brunson, Anunoby, DiVincenzo, Hart, Mikal Bridges, Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride).
Randle, who has a $31 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign, is eligible for an extension next month and has expressed a desire to re-sign.
He is eligible for a deal worth far more than Brunson, about $190 million over four years.
Brunson’s max extension is based on his salary next season, which is only $25 million – another huge underpay considering the rapidly rising NBA cap with a $60 million annual payday.
For example, Brunson will be paid about $12 million less next season than Anunoby, who signed a five-year, $212.5 million deal this summer.
Brunson will be 31 when he can become a free agent in 2028, when he will be eligible for the veteran’s maximum five years at a projected $418 million.
That’s insane money, something Brunson probably never imagined as a second-round pick. But a lot can happen before 2028.
The only stipulation is that Brunson is under contract for at least that long. And they made huge concessions to get there.
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