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Jalen Brunson is currently considering accepting a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension that the New York Knicks can offer beginning on Friday. Brunson would play out the 24-25 season on his existing contract with his player option for 25-26 being eliminated. If Brunson waits until his 2025 free agency, he can sign a max contract at $269.1 million over five years, which is a difference of $113 million guaranteed and an annual average of $39.1 million against $53.8 million.

Brunson could sign the cheaper extension and then become a free agent in 2028 when he would be eligible for a 35 percent max and make some of that money back by earning $263.1 million from 2025 until 2030.

Sources say the extension is being considered by Brunson because of the security it would provide and because he has no interest in playing elsewhere. A source also says that Brunson is considering the cheaper extension because it would help the Knicks avoid the second apron in the immediate future to continue building around him.

OG Anunoby just re-signed with the Knicks on a five-year, $212.5 million, while Mikal Bridges will be a free agent in 2026. Julius Randle could also become a free agent in 2025 and figures to receive a raise or a possible exit.

Brunson, who is represented by Aaron Mintz and Sam Rose, averaged 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 35.4 minutes over 77 games last season while making the All-NBA Second Team.

Via Fred Katz/The Athletic

Anunoby got $212M, Paul George got $211M at age 34. Heck Quickly got $175M. It should be no brainer for Brunson to play this year, decline PO and get the $250M+ contract next summer.

donemilio21 wrote:Anunoby got $212M, Paul George got $211M at age 34. Heck Quickly got $175M. It should be no brainer for Brunson to play this year, decline PO and get the $250M+ contract next summer.

Agreed. Dolan been effing this team up and Knicks fans over for decades, all the while printing money. Time for him to go deep into the luxury tax to pay his best player the most he can.

GQ Hot Dog wrote:

donemilio21 wrote:Anunoby got $212M, Paul George got $211M at age 34. Heck Quickly got $175M. It should be no brainer for Brunson to play this year, decline PO and get the $250M+ contract next summer.

Agreed. Dolan been effing this team up and Knicks fans over for decades, all the while printing money. Time for him to go deep into the luxury tax to pay his best player the most he can.

How about possible big injury this year?

teco1497 wrote:

GQ Hot Dog wrote:

donemilio21 wrote:Anunoby got $212M, Paul George got $211M at age 34. Heck Quickly got $175M. It should be no brainer for Brunson to play this year, decline PO and get the $250M+ contract next summer.

Agreed. Dolan been effing this team up and Knicks fans over for decades, all the while printing money. Time for him to go deep into the luxury tax to pay his best player the most he can.

How about possible big injury this year?

How about possible big injury to George and anunoby or quickley? They are all more injury prone than brunson actually.

baldur wrote:

teco1497 wrote:

GQ Hot Dog wrote:Agreed. Dolan been effing this team up and Knicks fans over for decades, all the while printing money. Time for him to go deep into the luxury tax to pay his best player the most he can.

How about possible big injury this year?

How about possible big injury to George and anunoby or quickley? They are all more injury prone than brunson actually.

Ya and after his performance in the playoffs last year and what he's done for new York, big injury and he's still getting paid. The only risk would be his game going over a cliff and I don't see why that would happen.

I'm more interested in Brunson's age then in who his agents are. C'mon guys, is a max contract at all likely for Brunson after he finishes next season and adds another 3 seasons with an extension? He already looks like old man river.

I do get wanting the security of the extension. Obviously the money difference is insane, but the worst case scenario is always possible. Brunson is 27. Isaiah Thomas was 27 when he was killing it for the Boston Celtics getting ready to get the biggest contract of his life. That contract never came because he got injured. He went from the MVP discussion to a minimum deal and then just 10 day contracts.

There is always a bigger fear of injury for small guards that take punishment when attacking the rim. If you lose any of your quickness/athleticism then it's just that much harder to make a big impact.

So either decision I could understand. If he does decide to play out the year then I would not take any chances with playing through injuries.

this man can do no wrong!! LFG

GQ Hot Dog wrote:

donemilio21 wrote:Anunoby got $212M, Paul George got $211M at age 34. Heck Quickly got $175M. It should be no brainer for Brunson to play this year, decline PO and get the $250M+ contract next summer.

Agreed. Dolan been effing this team up and Knicks fans over for decades, all the while printing money. Time for him to go deep into the luxury tax to pay his best player the most he can.

so out of spite for dolan he should ruin the chances of his teams success? only toddlers that got their lollipop snatched act like that.

now if you said, every player maximizes his income, therefore brunson should do the same, id say okay fair point. but your reasoning is dumb, i am sorry. hes not doing it to save dolan money, hes doing it so leon can get better players around him.

Dude needs to take that money NOW! Small point guards do NOT have a long shelf life. We’ve seen the best from him also.

eureca20 wrote:I do get wanting the security of the extension. Obviously the money difference is insane, but the worst case scenario is always possible. Brunson is 27. Isaiah Thomas was 27 when he was killing it for the Boston Celtics getting ready to get the biggest contract of his life. That contract never came because he got injured. He went from the MVP discussion to a minimum deal and then just 10 day contracts.

There is always a bigger fear of injury for small guards that take punishment when attacking the rim. If you lose any of your quickness/athleticism then it's just that much harder to make a big impact.

So either decision I could understand. If he does decide to play out the year then I would not take any chances with playing through injuries.

You’re kind of proving the opposite point here. Thomas missed the bag not because he got hurt, but because Danny the Devil had him playing on a bad hip all the way to the conference finals, with just enough time for IT to bury his suddenly deceased sister for the world to see.

The smart play for Brunson is to play, take out insurance on an injury, but listen to his body and his Dad more than any other pressure.

If JB wants Knicks to be tough as nail and contenders, I understand.

On the other hands, he's 5/230 player easily. Him considering 4/150 would be a steal of a decade for Knicks

NoStatsGuy wrote:

GQ Hot Dog wrote:

donemilio21 wrote:Anunoby got $212M, Paul George got $211M at age 34. Heck Quickly got $175M. It should be no brainer for Brunson to play this year, decline PO and get the $250M+ contract next summer.

Agreed. Dolan been effing this team up and Knicks fans over for decades, all the while printing money. Time for him to go deep into the luxury tax to pay his best player the most he can.

so out of spite for dolan he should ruin the chances of his teams success? only toddlers that got their lollipop snatched act like that.

now if you said, every player maximizes his income, therefore brunson should do the same, id say okay fair point. but your reasoning is dumb, i am sorry. hes not doing it to save dolan money, hes doing it so leon can get better players around him.

I didn't say a thing about anyone's motives.

Brunson getting the most he can doesn't ruin his team's chances.

What the hell is this idiot talking about?

I think the other thing to consider with him taking the extension is that most players outplay their younger contracts and then most are overpaid on their supermax and beyond with some obvious exceptions. Taking the extension now guarantees him a competitive contract until he hits supermax and then the opportunity to become overpaid for his post-prime years (something we would all love to be lol) but it also gives New York room to put more around him, making his numbers potentially better as a point guard. The other X factor is there is definitely an upside to being the face of one of the most popular franchises in the league!

Depending on how he structures the contract (i.e. opt out years ) -- by extending now into a 4 year contract ( with an opt out in year 3 ) - Jalen Brunson will make MORE long-term then he would have with a 5 year extension by way of taking on shorter contracts.

This will not only allow JB to MAXIMIZE his earnings -- by doing so he will ensure that the Knicks also have MAXIMUM flexibility to keep improving the team.


The difference between JB's 4 year extention vs wait 1 year & then extend 5 years is virtually identically through 26/27 if he structures through 26/27 ( only a $600k difference in the short term ) :
--------------------------------------------------

4 year extension ( opt out year 3 ) = $103.1m through 26/27 ( new contract 27/28 )
5 year extension ( opt out year 4 ) = $103.7m through 26/27 ( new contract 30/31 )

JB current contract :
--------------------------------------------------
24/25 = $24.96
25/26 = $24.96 ( PO )

4 year extension ( opt out year 3 ) :
--------------------------------------------------
24/25 = $24.96
25/26 = $39.125
26/27 = $39.125
27/28 = $39.125 ( PO )
28/29 =$39.125

5 year extension ( opt out year 3 ) :
--------------------------------------------------
24/25 = $24.96
25/26 = $24.96
26/27 = $53.82
27/28 = $53.82
28/29 = $53.82
30/31 = $53.82 ( PO )
31/32 = $53.82