Brunson was coming off a breakout season in 2023-24:
📊 28.7 PTS
📊 6.7 AST
📊 40% 3PT
He could’ve waited. Free agency in 2025 might’ve brought a 5-year, $270 million bag. Instead? He re-upped in July 2024 for 4 years, $157 million.
That’s not a discount. That’s a blue-and-orange investment.
Remember Dallas? Brunson offered to extend for 4 years and $55 million. They passed. New York didn’t.
He was making chess moves in a league of checkers.
JB understands team building amid the dreaded second apron. And this made it easier for the Knicks to:
✅ Re-sign OG Anunoby
✅ Trade for Mikal Bridges
✅ Trade for Karl Anthony Towns
All 3 players above played key roles in ending the Knicks’ 25-year conference finals drought…but none of this would’ve happened without Jalen Brunson.
He turned down $113 million. In return? He might just own New York forever.
Despite the ‘smaller’ contract, $157 million is $157 million.
Generational wealth secured.
Legacy loading.
