Many stars said they want to play for the Knicks. Few actually tried it.
And only one — Jalen Brunson — was willing to take less as part of New York's championship-roster building efforts.
Brunson signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension to stay with New York Knicks, as reported by NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
The superstar guard still had two years left in his original $104 million contract signed last 2019, assuring the Knicks fans that he isn’t going anywhere by signing the extension as early as now.
Even more noteworthy was that Wojnarowski reported the 27-year-old took a more “team-friendly” extension, giving the Knicks financial flexibility to build a championship-caliber roster around him over the next few seasons.
The repercussions of Brunson choosing the four-year, $156.5M max deal over the five-year, $269M deal in 2025 are massive for the Knicks’ ability to keep this team together – and keep making roster moves to close the gap on a championship.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2024
Had Brunson waited until after next season to become a free agent, he could have signed for a maximum five-year, $270 million deal but opted for less money for that flexibility.
The move earned praised from fans. Even Brunson's teammates such Josh Hart posted their reactions on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Build him a statue 🥲
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 12, 2024
“Build him a statue,” Hart, Brunson’s long-time friend and teammate, tweeted.
Brunson and Hart were part of the 2016 NCAA champion Villanova Wildcats and are now playing out their dreams of competing together in the NBA.
But of course, the Villanova connection didn't stop there.
The Knicks doubled down on slowly reuniting the college quarter after signing Donte DiVincenzo in free agency last summer and then trading for Mikal Bridges a few weeks ago.
Now, the "Nova Knicks" are in full effect.
Some fans lauded Brunson’s sacrifice for the benefit of the team.
Jalen Brunson knows what a ring would do for this town and his legacy. Leon is making his move. It's money time 💰. Let's go Knicks! pic.twitter.com/8mAo3YDvqO
— CP "The Fanchise" (@CPTheFanchise) July 12, 2024
“Jalen Brunson knows what a ring would do for this town and his legacy. Leon is making his move. It's money time 💰. Let's go Knicks,” user CP "The Fanchise" posted.
He plays so incredibly hard, has become a superstar and just took a pay cut for the betterment of his team.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) July 12, 2024
Jalen Brunson is the face of New York sports right now. A total throwback athlete and person. He just wants one thing: to win a title.
“He plays so incredibly hard, has become a superstar and just took a pay cut for the betterment of his team,” user @John_Fanta said.
"Jalen Brunson is the face of New York sports right now. A total throwback athlete and person. He just wants one thing: to win a title.”
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 12, 2024
“Jalen Brunson goes from the best star player bargain in the NBA to holy crap that’s the best star player bargain by 1,000 miles in the NBA,” @FieldYates noted in a tweet.
Brunson is fresh off the best season of his NBA career, averaging 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 48% from the field and 40% from deep during the regular season.
He was named to the All-NBA Second Team, made his first NBA All-Star appearance, and posted a stellar 32.4 points per game over the Knicks' 13 postseason games last season.
New York lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs last season.
[ALSO READ: Pacers advance to East Finals after historic, decisive Game 7 win over Knicks]
