Jalen Brunson‘s four-year, $156.5MM extension should be viewed as the largest financial favor in NBA history, writes Fred Katz of The Athletic. Brunson opted for the security of having a long-term deal in place now, but he bypassed an extra $113MM that he would have been eligible to receive if he had waited another year.
Brunson didn’t mind taking less because he’s so happy playing in New York, Katz adds. He likes being with his Villanova friends on a team that can compete for a title, and he enjoys playing for coach Tom Thibodeau, who helped mold him into a star.
Katz notes that the financial impact of Brunson’s decision should be significant. In a league where nearly every contender operates under concerns about the first and second aprons, the Knicks now have their best player signed to a relative bargain of a contract through at least 2028, when he’ll have a player option for the final season. A league source tells Katz that Brunson was given a 15% trade kicker in the deal.
With newly acquired Mikal Bridges also on a team-friendly contract — making $23.3MM and $24.9MM the next two seasons — New York is in position to fortify its roster without worrying about the second apron. Katz points out that Brunson, Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Donte DiVincenzo, Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek will make a combined $153.2MM when Brunson’s new contract takes effect with the 2025/26 season, leaving the Knicks well short of the projected $207.8MM second apron.
There’s more from New York:
- The Knicks remain in touch with Precious Achiuwa in hopes of re-signing him as the primary backup to Mitchell Robinson, according to Ian Begley of SNY (video link). The free agent big man appeared in 49 games after being acquired from Toronto in December and had a significant role in the playoffs. New York is also exploring trades for “high-salaried veterans,” Begley adds.
- Kolek impressed the Knicks on Saturday in his Summer League debut with seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists, per Steve Popper of Newsday. The second-round pick could be in contention for rotation minutes this season as a backup to Brunson. “I’m just trying to come in and do whatever (Thibodeau) asks me to do,” Kolek said. “Just keep my head down, do what he asks me to do. I’m a worker . . . That’s my calling card. I’m going to be in the gym, I’m going to get better. Really whatever the team needs, what the coach needs, that’s what I’m going to do.”
- Dadiet said the speed of the game and the longer three-point line are the biggest adjustments in coming from France to the NBA, Popper adds. The first-round pick shot 2-for-8 Saturday, including air balls on two long distance shots. “I’m not sure of the difference,” he said. “In Europe it’s in meters.”
I dont like the paycut for Brunson, this team has a 2 year window if they havent won ny 2026 I dont see why you would keep this same exact group and he is never seeing that money again because he will be 32/33 when this contract ends.
If you are a Knicks fan how can you not like it?!? I don’t get why everyone keeps saying what’s good for HIM…. HE signed the contract no one else… dude wants to be immortal in NY
exactly, he is one of the very few that thinks to himself “I’m still making life altering money” he’ll also make a ton in endorsements
It’s not a pay cut off he’s making more money. They also have a young team with expiring contracts that can be replaced with other stars in a couple of years.
Paul George got paid at 34 with a lengthy injury history. Obviously very different players but he absolutely can land a big contract at that age in a thin market.
First Im pretty sure Katz is misstating his opt out. It was reported it was after year 3 where if he waited and did the other deal it would be for more up front money but would also cover his “prime” age 31 season. This way he makes slightly less than he would have in years 1-3 and opts out at age 29 and signs a new 5 year deal at like 80M a year. If he doesnt have a catastrophic injury or huge drop in performance he may make more this way since he will reset the deal once the new tv money starts coming in.
This whole he took way less thing is a bit misleading when you look at the terms he actually got and the probable outcome of the opt out and new extension he isnt taking nearly the discount theyre making it out to be.
Brunson has an opt out after year 3 of his new extension, but still has to finish this season on his current deal first. Thats why the opt out after year 3 in the new deal is 4 seasons away
He will be 29 in 2025-26, isnt that the first year of his new deal? I am just confused sorry lol
Based on what I understand he has a player option after his third year right? So he would be about to turn 33 when he can opt out to get a new deal. Thats lost money to him imo. I respect his move but he lost that money forever I think, the odds of him recouping that are really small which makes his decision even more impressive and selfless.
Your math is off one year, and I think that makes a big difference. He’ll be about to turn 32 when he can opt out to get a new deal. His birthday is 8/31/96, and the 27-28 season will end in June 2028. That means the new deal would potentially go through his age 35 year if it’s a 4 year deal. As a comparison for a guy who’s about the same size as Brunson, Chris Paul signed a max deal with Houston at the exact same age in 2017. After that deal (starting at age 36), he got another 3 guaranteed years from Phoenix at $30 million per year. That serves as precedent for a little guy getting big money well into his 30s.
You are right, my bad on the math. It definitely makes a difference but I do believe Chris Paul is an exception to the rule. Sure JB can be an exception as well but he definitely took a big chance with this. Anyways, wishing him the best (and he still super rich regardless lol)
very true. Every knick fan needs to appreciate him, this was 100% a selfless move. Though it helps when the president of the team is your Godfather, that team president’s son is your agent, and the team owner has a long history of reckless spending on veteran players lol. But based on the kind of guy Jalen is, I feel like he’d go out of his way to take less again in 2028 if he felt he wasn’t worth the full max at that point.
He’ll be 30 when his player option kicks in. That’s a fine age for a star to test the market.
2 yr window …. Yeah just jump out now ……
Please
Brunson 28 next season, Mikal 28 next season, Hart 30.
You think a team full of 33+ year olds can win a title? I am not trying to hate but it just seems improbable. The average age of championship teams is around 28. Their time is now unless they can find a young star in the near future.
Look at the Warriors 2022 team….their vet core plus Poole, Wiggins, Looney, etc was enough. Sure they needed young pieces, but unless you consider Wiggins to be a star, they were just capable young role players. There’s no reason the knicks couldn’t replicate that in a few years.
there was no pay cut, Brunson gave a discount
Mikal Bridges*
Skapensev is better than. achiuwA
I’m just happy the Knicks are relevant again. The Bridges trade was a great move. I was very skeptical, but the trade the Knicks made was good. I don’t think that same trade gets a Booker, Giannis, or anyone else. I didn’t want an aging PG13. Please tell me if Knicks could have gotten anyone better only offering that same package. IMO I also don’t think Precious wants to come back or he would be back already.
Ok… Knicks have one more major move left… GET KAT for Julius Randle and 2 #1 picks….KAT can play 4/5…. You need someone who can play the middle with MITCH’S injury history.. even more picks if needed by Knicks. KAT spaces the floor—- held his own against JOVIC in playoffs… D is not Thibs cup of T, but they need his spacing & bulk, plus he’s already signed. Knicks don’t want to resign Randle to a new deal…. Minny with ownership turmoil will get under the cap— throw in enough # 1 picks they’ll go for it…. GO KNICKS!
We’re done with KAT. Don’t think that trade happens for Randle straight up even.
You also said Thibs ain’t into D, so you’re obviously just f’n with us
WANTED TO CLARIFY, KAT’S D NOT UP TO THIBS STANDARD, but with MITCH, OG, BRIDGES, HART, and the rest of the roster they’ll be OK. Remember, RANDLE can’t play 5, KAT can… hey, it’s obvious the Knicks want to move Randle while they can get value and while Minny is in ownership turmoil. There’s not many high caliber 20+ points per game – forward/ centers around with KATS skill set… just saying…Knicks would have to throw in numerous #1 picks needed to throw in- they have them, use it to compete with Celtics, Sixers, the rest of the East & West—-
Go away …….. watch
A Knick game please
Nonsense
No thanks …. you probably don’t watch much.
since knicks are already over the cap, they need to send out more salary than they take back in any trade they make. KAT’s salary is 49 million, meaning they’d have to trade Julius, Mitch, and about 7 million dollars more in salary just to avoid being capped at the 1st apron. Also, Minnesota faces the same cap predicament since they’re also over the cap, meaning you’d need a 3rd team in the trade.
Please correct me, but the Knicks are 15m under 1st apron… Knicks payroll is 152M…Reports are the Knicks are looking for Shooting… Davis Bertans as a back up 4 can space floor… I just don’t know if Precious will do anything offensively as a back up 5, they’ll double Brunson and lay off Precious….
Nervous
who the hell is skapensev?
he’s in summer league with the knicks right now. They had him on a two-way deal briefly last year.
Remember when I said we should draft Duren. Cause then we could move Mitch. Well this is why.
Hoping Hukporti works out. But the two headed system here worked well. I’m sure they will still look at centers ….
Kolek a real PG. gee I wonder if that can help .
Imo Kolek is staying. Hukporti is the guy we need. 22 yrs old. Thibs work your magic.
knicks had Duren and they traded him to the pistons along with Kemba Walker
I always felt Miles Turner would be good for the knicks. Mitch is hella overpaid and injury prone unfortunately.
Equalizing the contract length (3 fixed years from 2025-26 to 2027-28) and assuming the options are voided (which is intended), the benefits of extending now are security (against injury or a bad year) and peace and quiet (going into a potential opt out year in NY was tough even on a narcissist like Melo). The detriment is his salary for those 3 years is 37 mm less (113 mm vs 150 mm).
The rest of the supposed differences aren’t inherent in the this year vs next year decision. Sure he might seek an extra season next year (4 + 1 as opposed to 3 + 1) just because he can, but he could also pass on it if he still wants to hit the market earlier.
STOP with the he took a pay cut or took less than was offered. The salary in the first year of the extension is more than 10 mm above next season’s salary. The deal he signed was the ONLY one on the table or which could be on the table this year. Passing on it means going into an opt out year as team leader. All the expressions of mutual love between the parties won’t prevent that from being an issue.
Wow! Respect to Brunson. Helping his team stay competitive. Owners making way too much though.