Jalen Brunson’s contract with the NBA is already considered one of the most team-friendly in the league, and he may choose to continue along that path.
Brunson is currently in the third year of a four-year, $106 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2022. Despite this, he has elevated his game to become an All-Star, All-NBA guard, and MVP candidate – a surprising rise to stardom that has positioned him as a top 15 player in the league.
This summer, Brunson is eligible for a contract extension. While a potential four-year, $156 million extension would represent a significant pay increase from his current deal, it falls short of what he could command as a free agent. Opting out and re-signing with the Knicks in 2024 could potentially earn him a five-year, $270 million deal.
According to reports from Newsday’s Steve Popper and The Athletic’s Fred Katz, Brunson is open to signing the extension and potentially sacrificing some earnings for the benefit of the team. Katz mentioned on his podcast, “Katz and Shoot,” that Brunson is seriously considering the deal in light of the financial flexibility it could provide the Knicks under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement.
As a smaller guard who carried a heavy offensive load for the Knicks last season, Brunson may value the security of a long-term deal. Another option could be a three-year extension, taking him to the summer of 2028 when he would be eligible for a maximum contract in a rising cap environment.
If the Knicks can secure Brunson to another team-friendly deal, it would be a significant win for the team, regardless of other offseason moves.