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
We pouring honey on you goat @jalenbrunson1
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 12, 2024
Jalen Brunson has done what no other superstar has done in recent memory: take a pay cut so his team can build a winning roster. A lot of players talk about taking less, what we use to call the, “hometown discount” so they can stay with their team or let their front office build a contender. When push comes to shove, it is really, really difficult to turn away that kind of money. Brunson just turned down over $100 million dollars to ensure that the New York Knicks can not only retain their core, but make more moves to improve it.
Brunson signed a 4-year, $156.5 million contract extension, opting to sign early rather than wait until next offseason, where he would’ve been eligible for a 5-year, $269 million extension. In 2029, Brunson will be eligible for a monstrous 5-year, $418 million deal. He’s betting on himself, and he is giving the Knicks the absolute best opportunity to hoist a Larry O’Brien trophy in the near future. It seems all but guaranteed he will get that extension in 2029 though, regardless of results.
King of New York
Brunson has immediately crowned himself the King of New York sports. Whoever you thought it was previously, now it’s Brunson undisputedly. I couldn’t tell you the last time the hands down best player on a New York sports team took a pay cut, or opted to make less, for the sake of his team. He is already a legend in the City, and they will be erecting statues of him soon enough.
This contract will keep the Knicks under the very dangerous second apron for the next half decade or so, allowing them to retain their Nova Knicks core, Julius Randle, and make potential moves in pursuit of a championship. This man Brunson can do no wrong, he is untouchable, he is a king, he is basically a god in New York now, and that alone might be worth leaving the money on the table. He’s always bet on himself.
Leave A Comment