Jalen Brunson gave the New York Knicks a $113 million break on his potential salary, and in return, the team made him their captain.
Two seasons into their partnership, which has brought the Knicks their best success in 25 years, both the team and Brunson clearly trust each other. They now have a few more years to see if this partnership can achieve even more.
“This is literally just the beginning,” Brunson said on Thursday.
The Knicks held a special event at Madison Square Garden for Brunson, featuring former Knicks stars like Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing and celebrities such as actor and Knicks fan Ben Stiller. Ewing narrated a video that showed a picture of him with Brunson as a child, when Brunson’s father, Rick, played for the Knicks.
“People just want to be around you, Jalen,” Ewing said in the video. “You’re a born leader.”
The Knicks were drawn to Brunson not just for his skills on the court, but also for his leadership qualities when they signed him in the summer of 2022.
Coach Tom Thibodeau, who had worked with Rick Brunson as an assistant coach in Chicago and New York, saw Brunson grow up and admired his hard work and natural leadership.
However, some might wonder about Brunson’s financial decision this summer. He signed a four-year contract extension worth about $156.5 million. If he had finished the last year of his current deal and become a free agent, he could have signed a five-year, $269 million contract.
While some players have taken less than the maximum salary, few would pass up an extra $113 million. “I think about every decision that I make and I’m completely comfortable with what I’ve done,” Brunson said.
“Obviously I’m well off, myself and my family, we’re obviously well off, so that’s first and foremost. But I want to win. I want to win here.”
