$113 million. This is one of the numbers for the summer of 2024 and it is not the amount of a contract signed by a player, but the sacrifice made by Jalen BrunsonThe Knicks All-Star has in fact extended for four seasons and 156.5 million, instead of the 269.1 he could have hoped for in 2025. A choice that brings to mind things Draymond Green.
“He did a Draymond Green. I signed for 100 million and four more seasons when I could have, in the meantime, taken 180 million,” remember Warriors insider on his 2023 decision. “I needed to secure this contract. I preferred to have 100 million for sure, rather than looking for 60 or 80 million more, which I might not have had. I did not want to take the risk.”
This rebate, which could inspire Mikal Bridges, gives some breathing room to the Knicks' finances, but surprises the four-time champion because it comes from a star, a player who carries a team.
An average salary after all with the new TV contract?
“He may not be willing to take that risk, but he's different. He's the Knicks' first option, and not only is he the star, which is cool, but New York City loves him. He would have gotten the $250 million,” he continues. “My situation was different because Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson had big contracts, so somebody had to take less. Okay, I’ll do it. He’s the star. Let Josh Hart take less dollars, he’s in my role. Curry and Thompson didn’t leave anything. If it works, then some people will, but I didn’t expect them to take less. I don’t know why he did it.”
To take even more in a few years perhaps, within the framework of a new extension, which will be signed in a new context, which Draymond Green underlines.
“When I watch overtime, like Jaylen Brown's ($304 million over five years in 2023)I wonder if the players realize that there is the TV rights money that is going to come. The contracts are going to get even bigger. So Jalen Brunson took $156 million but, in 18 months, he will have an average salary.
