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 extend. As announced at the beginning of the week, The Athletic confirms that it is a four-year, $156 million contract that will begin in 2025/26. Which means Jalen Brunson is writing off his ” player option » next summer, but also around $113 million!
Indeed, if he had waited a year, he could have signed a five-year, $269 million contract. Which means he's giving up $113 million! By extending this year, he'll also allow the Knicks to save money for the next offseasons since he'll earn around $39 million per year, instead of $54!
It also, and above all, allows 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… that the franchise of 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.
