Like Boston, Denver or Minnesota, New York has decided to play the continuity card and lock its workforce for several seasons. And after Julius Randle, Josh Hart or OG Anunoby, it is the turn of Jalen Brunson to be able to extend.
Arriving two years ago on a four-year, $100 million deal, Luka Doncic's former backup quickly established himself as the Knicks' leader and one of the best point guards in the NBA. So much so that the New York point guard is even considered by some… “underpaid.”
His stock has exploded, and as of next season, he can sign a five-year, $269 million contract. He has a “player option” to become a free agent. But The Athletic reports that the point guard could extend his contract as early as this week, and thus change the rest of his contract. There is talk of a four-year, $156 million contract, which would start next season. This would mean that Jalen Brunson would be giving up his “player option”, but also around $113 million!
According to our colleagues, Jalen Brunson does not want to test the market, and he wants to play it safe. If all goes well, he could be a free agent in 2028, and at that time, he could sign a five-year, $263 million contract. By extending this year, he would also allow the Knicks to save money for the next offseasons since he would earn around $39 million per year, instead of $54!
It would also, and above all, allow the Knicks to avoid the now famous “second apron” in the years to come. Enough to allow the club to continue to have a maximum of options to maneuver in order to aim for the title… which the franchise from the “Big Apple” has been waiting for since 1973.
Player option : possibility for a player to activate (or not) the last year of his contract, in order to finish his lease or become a “free agent” one year in advance.
