Jalen Brunson quickly agreed to extend his time with the New York Knicks, a team that has improved significantly since he joined.
Brunson signed a four-year contract extension with the Knicks on Friday, reportedly worth around $156.5 million, according to someone familiar with the details.
While he could have waited and potentially earned a larger contract next year, Brunson opted to sign the extension on the first day it was available. This decision provides financial stability to the Knicks, a team he has helped lead to the second round of the playoffs in each of his two seasons in New York.
“Since Jalen joined us two years ago, he has consistently set a positive example and shown dedication to the vision and plan we have for the future of our team,” said Knicks President Leon Rose in a statement. “He has been committed to this organization, his teammates, and everyone in the Knicks family.”
The terms of the deal were not officially disclosed by the Knicks but were confirmed to The Associated Press anonymously. ESPN first reported the details, noting that Brunson’s agent informed the team that his client chose the extension over a potential five-year, $269 million contract he could have pursued as a free agent in 2025.
Brunson’s recent season with the Knicks was one of the franchise’s best, where he averaged 28.7 points per game and earned recognition by finishing fifth in the NBA MVP voting.
When Brunson initially signed with the Knicks in 2022 as a former second-round pick, there were doubts from critics about his value, especially since he had mainly served as a backup player in Dallas.
