The New York Knicks have been very busy during the 2024 NBA Offseason. They have wheeled and dealed, doing what they can to improve the roster around star point guard Jalen Brunson.
Their big move was acquiring another one of Jalen Brunson’s Villanova teammates, Mikal Bridges. He was acquired in a blockbuster trade from the Brooklyn Nets. The following day, it was announced that OG Anunoby would be re-signed.
During the 2024 NBA Draft, Leon Rose moved around the board, saving every dollar possible. It was done in an effort to retain center Isaiah Hartenstein, but ultimately, the new CBA rules led to him being poached.
New York was limited to a four-year, $72.5 million max. The Oklahoma City Thunder presented him with an offer he could not refuse, as the two sides agreed to a three-year, $87 million deal.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jalen Brunson & New York Knicks Updates
The new CBA rules with multiple aprons and new hard caps have teams in a frenzy. Roster building as we know it is going to change forever as there are harsh penalties for multi-time offenders.
That is part of what makes the recent NBA rumors swirling around the Knicks so important. Eligible for a long-term deal, New York is allowed to offer Jalen Brunson a four-year, $156.5 million extension of Friday.
Turning that down and waiting until NBA Free Agency in 2025 would make him eligible for a five-year, $269.1 million deal. According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, there is still a chance that the star point guard will sign an extension with the team this offseason.
“Because of rules in the collective bargaining agreement, the deal would not be as lucrative as one he could receive if he were to wait until 2025 free agency to re-sign. Thus, the original assumption was that Brunson, the franchise’s cornerstone, would wait until next summer to re-up with the only organization for which he wants to play…
And to this point, according to a league source, signing the extension is still under consideration,” Katz wrote.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jalen Brunson & New York Knicks Updates
Signing the contract extension this offseason would be an unprecedented move by Jalen Brunson. Passing up on about $113 million more would be a difficult decision to make.
But, New York is where he wants to be. On top of that, winning is the No. 1 priority for Jalen Brunson. The best path to the Knicks remaining competitive and retaining flexibility is him to sign an extension this offseason.
Your best player taking a perceived pay cut for the betterment of the franchise would set the tone for everyone else on the team. If he is willing to make those sacrifices, it will be easier for his teammates to do the same.
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