The New York Knicks have been one of the most proactive teams this offseason, as they’re vying for more following their deep playoff run last season. They acquired Mikal Bridges and Keita Bates-Diop via trades, and they re-signed OG Anunoby to a lucrative extension, putting them in a great position to contend in the Eastern Conference.
Everything is coming together for the New York Knicks, especially since Jalen Brunson signed a new four-year, $156.5 million deal on Friday.
Brunson actually took a significant pay cut, as he will be making $113 million less than he would be eligible to get next year, giving his team a huge solid financial-wise. Upon hearing the news, his teammate Josh Hart said that New York should honor Jalen Brunson by building him a statue.
“Build him a statue 🥲 We pouring honey on you goat @jalenbrunson1.” Hart posted on his X (formerly known as Twitter).
Jalen Brunson is coming off a spectacular 2023-24 season, averaging 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on 48/40/85 shooting splits in 77 regular season games. He kicked it up a notch in the postseason, averaging 32.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field.
Woj on how Jalen Brunson’s new deal helps the New York Knicks
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said that if Jalen Brunson waited until next year to sign a new extension, he would’ve made at least $269.1 million for the next five years.
Woj also said that Brunson took notes from certain championship-winning sides in the MLB and the NFL to give his team the best chance to win.
“Brunson’s study of championship organizations and franchise stars — Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs, the Tom Brady New England Patriots, and the Derek Jeter New York Yankees — gave him a blueprint for MVP-level players who structured contracts to give their teams the best chances at sustainable title runs,” Woj explained.
