Las Vegas – Jalen Brunson I’m re-uploading New York Knicks In the long run.
Brunson and the organization have agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension, a league source confirmed. AthleticThe deal goes into effect in the 2025-26 season with a player option for the fourth year. ESPN was first to report the news.
All-Star point guard Brunson has been mulling over a possible extension for months, but the Knicks didn’t allow him to offer it until July 12, exactly two years after he signed his current contract with the team. But Brunson knew what was coming, even if he hadn’t exactly read the contract: His new contract, due to be signed soon, is the largest extension the Knicks could offer him.
New York offered him the maximum on the extension, but re-signing now was not the most favorable path for Brunson. If he had waited until 2025 to sign a new deal, he would have been eligible for a max contract estimated at $269 million over five years. But other circumstances meant Brunson opted to sign for around $113 million less.
As Athletic detail Earlier this weekBranson focused on two things: safety and winning.
The extension would make the nine-figure deal final today, while agreeing to less money now would help the Knicks’ efforts to remain in the second apron in 2025-26.
Lowering the payroll isn’t about saving owners money — the new collective bargaining agreement is the most restrictive in league history — and now paying too much takes away team-building resources.
Brunson’s lower salary could help the Knicks stay below the No. 2 apron, especially since he’s projected to make $207.8 million in 2025-26. If the Knicks’ salary exceeds $207.8 million, they won’t be able to use the mid-level exception or trade exception, which would prevent them from making various types of trades. A championship-minded team would have few ways to improve.
The contract extension is another splashy move for the Knicks. They traded five first-round draft picks.Earlier in the offseason, Mikal Bridges called for two passes, including four unprotected.
The 27-year-old Brunson was named to his first All-Star team in the 2023-24 season, but his accolades didn’t end there. He finished fifth in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA Second Team after leading the Knicks to 50 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. New York was plagued by injuries and Indiana Pacers In the second round of the playoffs.
Brunson averaged 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists to finish fourth in the NBA. NBA In terms of scoring.
(Photo of Jalen Brunson: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
