Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension. It was a move that proved to be a historic pay cut of $113 million less than what he was eligible to sign as the team seeks to compete for an NBA championship.
The impact Brunson has made on the Knicks since departing the Dallas Mavericks on a four-year, $104 million contract has been nothing short of remarkable. After averaging 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds, he earned All-NBA honors and a top-five finish in MVP voting.
Knicks are “proud” of Brunson as franchise player
On his new contract, Brunson will earn $37.1 million annually over the first three years, with a fourth-year player option. The context to consider is that Brunson will have a pathway to earn a more lucrative contract in 2028, either a four-year, $323 million maximum extension or a new five-year, $418 million deal by 2029. In the short term, the Knicks can navigate the second apron, while Brunson can maximize his earnings later.
Brunson’s goal is to ensure the Knicks have a strong roster to compete for a championship right now. His deep connection to the Knicks reflects his trust in the organization. Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose was Brunson’s agent before joining the team in 2020. There is risk involved for Brunson.
“Jalen signing his extension to remain with the Knicks for the long-term shows the dedication and passion he has for the organization, the fans and this city,” Knicks president Leon Rose said in a release. “Jalen has often called the Knicks his family, and we are beyond proud to have him wear and represent our orange and blue for years to come.
“Jalen has embraced every challenge since he’s come to New York and has been committed since day one to the vision and plan we set forth for the future of this team. Since Jalen joined us two years ago, he has consistently led by example and continues to show a willingness to sacrifice for this organization, his teammates and everyone in the Knicks family.”
New York has been aggressive in building around Brunson
It’s easy to see why Brunson wants to remain committed to the Knicks for the long haul, even though he’s taking a significant financial risk by agreeing to a $37 million reduction in his contract value. He will ultimately risk $113 million to chase an NBA title with the New York Knicks.
The Knicks have significantly strengthened their roster this offseason, albeit at a higher cost. New York signed OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212.5 million deal and traded for Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, taking on the remaining two years and $48 million of his contract.
There are few teams as well-positioned to contend for a championship as the Knicks, even despite rival teams making moves such as the Philadelphia 76ers did to acquire Paul George from the LA Clippers.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network
Local New York City, NY
Most Popular
Comments / 0