Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, the New York Knicks, who were once an iconic NBA franchise, were laughingstocks. But when they signed guard Jalen Brunson as a free agent in 2022, he completely turned them around.
He had emerged as a good player with the Dallas Mavericks, but once he came to New York, he became, at worst, a borderline superstar. In three previous seasons with him, the Knicks reached at least the second round of the playoffs, and this season, plenty believe they can get to the NBA Finals.
In 2024, Brunson made an unselfish move by taking less than the max salary available to him in order to make it easier for the Knicks to build a winning team around him. The result was an extension for two-way forward OG Anunoby and trades that brought Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple.
In a recent Vanity Fair interview, Brunson said he hopes the Knicks will “do right by me” and give him a big contract extension, one he can receive in 2028 when he can opt out of his current deal. But before New Yorkers start worrying that Brunson may leave not too long from now, they should take heart in his comment to Stefan Brody of the New York Post.
“I would love to be here for the rest of my career,” Brunson told Bondy. “I love this place…I love the city, I love the fans, I love everything this place has offered me, on and off the court… And I’d love to stay.”
Had Brunson waited until 2025 to sign an extension with New York, he could’ve gotten $269 million over five years. Instead, he settled for a $156.5 million four-year deal in order to give his team more salary cap flexibility.
In 2028, if he opts out, he can receive up to $417.8 million over five years. Brunson will turn 32 years of age that August, and since his game isn’t greatly predicted on speed or athleticism, he could very well still be an elite player at that time.
He’s currently averaging 26.8 points and 6.2 assists a game, and he was named to the All-Star team for the third year in a row this season. While the Knicks have had some occasional issues this season, this is their best shot at getting to the NBA Finals since they last got there in 1999.
Brunson has become the toast of New York and one of the area’s most beloved athletes in recent memory. He can reach almost mythical status in New York City area sports lore if he leads the Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973.
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