Jalen Brunson walked away from $113 million in 2024, and walked straight into Knicks legend territory.

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.

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