KING OF NEW YORK
Jalen Brunson to make history with $113m pay cut with New York Knicks for incredible reason as fans demand statue
Brunson was eligible for nearly $300 million after another season
JALEN Brunson is cementing himself as a New York legend after taking a massive pay cut to remain with the Knicks.
Brunson has done the Knicks a huge favor in allowing them to continue to build a championship-contending roster.
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The Knicks superstar agreed on a four-year, $156.5 million extension, according to ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.
His deal will pay him a whopping $39 million per year, but he is missing out on millions more.
If Brunson waited one more season before signing a new contract, he would have been eligible for a five-year, $269 million deal.
Taking the pay cut will cost Brunson $37 million over the next three years, but it does come with a fourth-year option for him.
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At that point, he would be capable of signing a four-year $323 million extension in 2028 or a five-year, $418 million extension in 2029, according to his agent Sam Rose.
Brunson is clearly worth more than his $156.5 million extension, as he was named an All Star and All-NBA player last season.
He averaged 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in the campaign that ended in the second round of the playoffs.
Brunson's desire to win a championship reportedly outweighed his interest in signing a megadeal with the Knicks, according to sources at SNY.
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Knicks fans are ecstatic about the move, and are blowing up social media with their praises for their star player.
"Build statues of him in New York right now," one fan said.
Jalen Brunson leaves NBA on TNT crew in hysterics after sending reminder to Kenny Smith during live post-game interview
"They gotta retire his jersey now wtf," another fan said.
"The King of NY," a third fan said.
"That’s the greatest team friendly deal I’ve ever seen," a fourth fan said.
While Brunson is showing he is committed to the Knicks' future, the team have shown they are willing to spend as well.
The Knicks swung a massive deal with their crosstown counterparts in the Brooklyn Nets last month to acquire Mikal Bridges.
Jalen Brunson's ascent into New York legend
By Sports Reporter David Scott.
Jalen Brunson has spent two seasons as a New York Knick, but he is already being regarded as one of the team's biggest legends.
His playoff run during the 2023-24 season truly cemented that legend, as he delivered some of the best performances the franchise has ever seen.
Brunson now owns the record for most points in a playoff game in Knicks history with 47.
Carmelo Anthony was long regarded as the best Knicks player in the 21st century, but Brunson has quickly closed him down in the past two seasons.
Playoff success is a huge factor, as Brunson has already won 13 playoff games in two seasons with the Knicks versus Anthony's seven.
If he wasn't a legend from that, he is now, as Brunson's historic $100 million pay cut has set the Knicks up for success for years to come.
New York parted ways with Bojan Bogdanovic, Mamadi Diakite, and Shake Milton, as well as five first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a pic swap.
While the deal landed the Knicks an All-Defensive player, it is even more notable as it reunited college teammates.
The Knicks already had Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo on the roster, all former Villanova players.
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Bridges also played alongside them when they won March Madness together in 2018.
The Knicks likely aren't done making moves, and will continue to spend throughout the duration of Brunson's contract with the extra money he has provided them.
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