All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension with the New York Knicks on Friday. The deal begins in 2025 and comes with a fourth-year player option.
The Knicks star could have made a whopping $113 million more if he had waited one year to sign an extension. However, he chose to go the team-first route and help the Knicks with their salary cap space situation as they gear toward making a championship run.
The Brunson extension importantly keeps the Knicks under the second salary cap apron. If they went over, their ability to sign and trade for players would be greatly hindered. Brunson is already loved in New York, this will only further intensify his status as the face of the Knicks.
Brunson arrived in New York two years ago when he signed a four-year, $104 million contract. That signing has proven to be one of the biggest bargains in the NBA, as the Villanova product has averaged 26.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.6 rebounds during his two seasons with the Knicks.
Led by Brunson, New York made its first Eastern Conference semifinals appearance since 2013. Brunson had an especially heavy workload in the playoffs since star forward Julius Randle, who averaged 24 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, was out with a right shoulder injury.
With the Knicks as close as they have been in years to a championship run, the team has been spending in abundance. They re-signed forward OG Anunoby, who was hurt for much of the playoffs last year, to a five-year, $212.5 million contract.
New York also acquired forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, who has two years and $48 million left on his contract. The Villanova product is notoriously good friends with former college teammates Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo. He will look to be a factor on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball for the Knicks.
Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Dwayne Wade are just a few examples of NBA stars who have taken salary cuts in order to help the team. It remains to be seen whether Brunson, like all of these players, can lead his team to an NBA championship and become an all-time great.
