Getty Image / Sarah Stier
When the New York Knicks signed Jalen Brunson as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022, many thought the New York Knicks had gotten a steal. But, I don’t think anyone thought that deal would turn out as well as it did.
Fast forward two years later, and Jalen Brunson has become one of the league’s marquee stars and has led the Knicks back into true NBA title contention for the first time in three years. He’s become a New York hero.
That hero status is going to last for a little longer, and for good reason. On Friday, Jalen Brunson agreed to a 4-year $156.5 million extension with the Knicks, $113 million LESS than what he could’ve signed for in an incredibly unselfish move.
Here’s a handy chart that shows just how much money this will save the Knicks and help free up to acquire others players by staying below the second apron.
Here’s how it looks pic.twitter.com/AKsU33fmby
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2024
That’s a ton of money the Knicks now have to play with over the next few years as they look to win their first NBA title since 1973. Right now, they’ve got the roster to do it, adding OG Anunoby during the season last year and trading for Nets star wing Mikal Bridges, yet another Villanova player from their mid-2010 national title teams. Coupled with Brunson and Julius Randle and a great role players like Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, and you’ve got a team that can win it all.
The Knicks looked poised to head to the Eastern Conference Finals last year as they led the Pacers 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. But, a multitude of injuries finally caught up with them, and the Pacers won in seven.
This contract and the future savings that go along with it will help the Knicks continue be a deep team and help them avoid the new second apron. The second apron, designed to punish high-spending team, significantly impacts a team’s ability to improve their roster.
Not many NBA stars would take a huge paycut like this, and this will only endear the most beloved Knicks player in decades to the fan base even more.
Last season, Brunson averaged 28.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game.