Jalen Brunson attended a press conference for the New York Knicks after being named a team captain for the franchise. During the event, the Knicks presented Brunson with a check for his charity. Brunson hilariously responded by asking whether the check was for $113 million, the amount of money Brunson gave up on his extension.
“Is it for $113 million?”
Knicks present a check to Jalen Brunson for his charity
Brunson: “Is it for $113 million?”
💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/qEV4VpK13o
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 8, 2024
Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension with the Knicks, giving up $113 million in order to help the Knicks retain cap flexibility to add players like Mikal Bridges and re-sign OG Anunoby. It was a massive move from Brunson, who ingratiated himself to Knicks fans even further by taking the pay cut.
Brunson now has the option to sign a four-year, $328 million extension in 2028, or wait till 2029 to sign a mammoth five-year, $418 million contract with the Knicks. Perhaps Brunson is prioritizing the Knicks championship window for now and will earn his money with the franchise later in his career.
Brunson is coming off an incredible season with the Knicks, averaging 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds. He led the Knicks to the second round of the playoffs without his co-star Julius Randle, which was a massive accomplishment. But the Knicks couldn’t get past the Pacers.
Brunson was able to get some semblance of revenge over Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers upon his return to Madison Square Garden. This time, it wasn’t on the basketball court, but in a wrestling ring, as he stopped Tyrese Haliburton from attacking wrestler L.A. Knight on WWE Smackdown.
Jalen Brunson Was Very Unselfish To Help The Knicks
Jalen Brunson did something that very few players in the NBA have done – he took a pay cut to help his team acquire better players to build a better team. Brunson has cemented himself as a fan favorite among the Knicks fan base with this generous act and will be remembered as a Knicks legend if it helps the franchise win a championship.
Knicks legends from the past have openly come out and said that they wouldn’t have done what Brunson did for the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony spoke on his podcast recently and said that he wouldn’t have taken a pay cut, as a player’s future in the NBA is too volatile, and he didn’t want to jeopardize his potential earnings.
Of course, it is a risk for Brunson, who could suffer a significant injury that affects his career, his play, and therefore, any future contract he signs. Brunson clearly believes in himself, and his ability to win a championship with the Knicks in the next few years.
The Knicks will be one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference next season, after the addition of Mikal Bridges to the team. They will pose a challenge to the defending champions, the Celtics, and the 76ers, who will be the three big teams in the conference vying for a spot in the NBA Finals.
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