Jalen Brunson’s bond with New York keeps growing as he shows his dedication both on and off the court by agreeing to a $113 million salary cut for the Knicks.
Team Captaincy and Future Prospects:
The Knicks have named him team captain after two successful years together. Though they haven’t won a title yet, there’s optimism that they could soon. “This is literally just the beginning,” Brunson said, hinting that his pay cut will allow the team to bring in more talent.
Jalen Brunson talks about his contract extension:
"I am completely comfortable with what I've done. I'm well off, myself and my family.
I want to win, and I want to win here."
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks)
Ceremonial Event at Madison Square Garden:
Recently, Madison Square Garden hosted an event for Jalen featuring Patrick Ewing and Ben Stiller. A video narrated by Ewing showed a photo of young Jalen with his dad Rick, who also played for New York. “People just want to be around you, Jalen,” Ewing said. “Youโre a born leader.”
Contract Extension Details:
Brunson signed a four-year extension worth $156.5 million but could have earned up to $269 million if he’d become a free agent next season. Heโs comfortable with his choice: โI think about every decision that I make and Iโm completely comfortable with what Iโve done,โ he said.
Fans love how much he cares about winning over money.
Impact of New CBA on Contract Negotiations:
With stricter penalties under the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), negotiating big contracts has become tougher. โWinning trumps everything that I do individually,โ Brunson stated firmly.
The Journey Ahead:
โPeople can say they want to do a lot of things, but itโs all about their actions,โ Jalen remarked. While there are no guarantees of winning a championship, he’s committed to helping the team reach that goal.
Last season was impressive: 50 wins, 28.7 points per game (fourth best in the league), fifth in MVP voting, and four consecutive playoff games scoring 40+ pointsโsomething only Michael Jordan had done before!
