Brunson Makes Feelings Clear on Next Knicks Deal

Jalen Brunson is only in the first season of his four-year, $156.5 million contract extension, but the New York Knicks captain is already looking ahead — and making clear that his unprecedented financial sacrifice came with long-term expectations.

In a revealing interview with Vanity Fair, Brunson acknowledged that while the extension secured his family’s future, it also represented a massive concession designed to help the Knicks compete in the NBA’s restrictive new salary-cap landscape.

“Obviously, we’d love for them to do right by me,” Brunson said. “I think anyone would. I feel like I sacrificed.”

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A $113 Million Concession That Reshaped the Knicks’ Window

Brunson left an estimated $113 million on the table when he signed the extension in 2024 — a decision that sent shockwaves around the league and was widely viewed as the most significant player-friendly discount in the modern NBA.

At the time, former ESPN senior insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Brunson’s deal eclipsed previous high-profile concessions, including Tim Duncan taking less than the maximum in 2007 to keep the Spurs’ core intact and Kevin Durant shaving money off his contract in Golden State in 2017.

Unlike those deals, Brunson’s decision came before he reached his peak earning leverage.

Had he waited until the summer of 2025 — after leading New York to its first conference finals appearance in 25 years — Brunson would have been eligible for a five-year, $269 million contract.

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“I Didn’t Want the Contract in My Head”

Instead, Brunson chose security over maximum upside.

“I’ve seen players wait and then get hurt, and then they’re at the mercy of the organization,” he told Vanity Fair.

Brunson said removing contract pressure allowed him to play freely — a mindset he believes directly contributed to his emergence as the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year and one of the league’s most reliable postseason scorers.

“If I’m thinking about playing well to make sure I get paid, that could mess with me,” Brunson said. “I play best when I have a free mind, and that did that for me.”

While the extension protected his family, Brunson did not shy away from the team-first nature of the decision.

“One hundred percent I sacrificed for the team,” he said. “But most importantly, I made sure my family and I are taken care of.”

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Future Extensions Loom as Brunson Nears Prime’s End

Brunson will be eligible for a four-year, $323 million extension in 2028, or a five-year, $418 million deal in 2029, when he will be 32 — an age at which many undersized point guards begin to decline.

That timeline adds urgency to New York’s championship pursuit.

If Brunson’s early sacrifice helps deliver a title — or multiple titles — over the next three seasons, it would significantly strengthen his case for one final massive payday.

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Brunson’s Deal Enabled Knicks’ Aggressive Roster Build

Brunson’s extension provided the financial flexibility necessary for the Knicks to solidify their core.

New York re-signed OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212.5 million deal and acquired Mikal Bridges, who later signed a four-year, $150 million extension — notably $6 million below his maximum. It also allowed the Knicks to trade for Karl-Anthony Towns, who is earning $53.1 million this season.

Those moves, combined with Brunson’s discount, allowed the Knicks to keep such an expensive roster.

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More Hard Decisions Ahead for Knicks Front Office

Even with Brunson’s sacrifice, difficult financial decisions remain.

The Knicks cleared additional flexibility by moving on from Guerschon Yabusele, who carried a player option for next season, creating room to potentially extend Mitchell Robinson.

At the same time, New York faces a looming decision on Towns, Brunson’s All-Star running mate.

The Knicks declined to offer Towns a two-year, $150 million extension last summer, according to the New York Post. After this season, he will be eligible for a four-year, $260 million deal, adding another layer of complexity to the team’s long-term cap planning.

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A Bet on Loyalty — and Winning

Brunson’s comments underscore a rare reality in today’s NBA: elite players sacrificing peak earning power to preserve a championship window.

That gamble helped elevate the Knicks into legitimate title contention. Whether the organization ultimately “does right” by its captain will depend on what happens next — both on the court and at the negotiating table.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo