The New York Knicks gave Jalen Brunson a payday when the Dallas Mavericks were doing their best not to. The $104-million contract he signed seemed steep at the time, but Brunson has paid that value in full by having an MVP-caliber season this year. He’s now expected to extend his contract this summer for four years, $156 million instead of waiting for a supermax next season, according to Newsday.
“Jalen Brunson is eligible for a four-year, $156 million contract extension that sources have indicated he would take rather than wait another year.”
The deal would restructure his current contract of four years, $104 million into a five-year, $181 million deal, which would be a bargain for a player of his caliber. Brunson could become eligible for a supermax extension by the end of next season, which would net him five years and $270 million, meaning Brunson is foregoing $114 million in potential earnings.
Brunson taking this deal would enable the Knicks to pay out multiple members of their current core, primarily OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein who are free agents this summer. Donte DiVincenzo will be up for a new contract soon as well, so Brunson is opening up space for all his teammates to get paid.
Julius Randle’s Future Remains Unclear
The Knicks could have been title contenders this season if Julius Randle was healthy, but the former All-NBA selection missed over half the season with a shoulder injury that also ruled him out of the postseason. The Knicks stayed competitive despite Randle’s absence, leading to many believe he’ll be the player traded in a superstar deal given how hard the core of Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo played in his absence.
With Randle one year away from possibly entering free agency and no clarity on if he’ll be receiving a contract extension, teams around the NBA are monitoring if the forward will stay on the franchise.
“Teams are monitoring this situation for sure, because how they handle that extension situation if that is a conversation, what transpires, I think that will be interesting. Because if you think about moveable assets, salaries, obviously Julius Randle has got the number if you are to make a big, big trade.”
Julius Randle is eligible for a four-year, $181.5 million contract extension which might not be coming his way. Randle is the odd man out at this point, but the Knicks should play their team while healthy next season before deciding on their future. They went 10-2 in 12 games with a healthy five of Brunson, DiVincenzo, Anunoby, Randle, and Hartenstein.
If the Knicks compete atop the East until the deadline next season, Randle could save his spot on the team. But given the Brunson-led ball the Knicks have succeeded with this season, it won’t be the smoothest transition back to integrating Randle into the team.
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