One of the most surprising stories of this NBA offseason came from the New York Knicks. A team that had immense momentum coming off a second-round exit was about to make some big moves. That came in the form of the explosive Mikal Bridges trade.
Six first-round picks to reunite Bridges with his former college teammates was a tall order. But it did give Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo a fourth Villanova on the team. Still, it somehow wasn’t the most surprising move from the Big Apple.
That right was reserved for franchise mainstay and best player Jalen Brunson. When Jalen first arrived in New York, he was a relative unknown. His performance with the Dallas Mavericks was solid, but nothing that screamed “franchise centerpiece.” In two seasons with the Knicks, that idea has taken a dramatic turn. Now, Brunson is beloved in New York, and rightfully so. Exceptional regular seasons combined with unreal playoff runs made him a loyal fan and team favorite.
So, it was only natural to expect him to sign a $269 million deal once his initial contract was up. But that’s not how Jalen operates this time around. Instead, in an ever-greedy league, the former Villanova product became the poster child for altruism. Instead of waiting a year for his extension, he left $113 million on the board, signing for four years and $156 million instead.
Averaging 40 minutes per game, he was the sole creator on a Knicks team missing Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby. However, his 32.4 ppg was legendary, while he also added 7.5 assists per night. Plus, there were multiple times in 13 games when his minutes were at or near 48 total. As a result, the contract discount came as a complete shock to everyone involved.
But for Brunson, it’s an idea. And it’s a chance to send a message to the rest of the team. “I think about every decision I make and I’m totally comfortable with what I’ve done. Obviously I’m comfortable with my family, and that’s the first thing. But I want to win and win here. Winning will dominate everything I do individually.”
With extensions for both newcomer Mikal Bridges and veteran Randle on the way, his example sets a precedent for all future negotiations. It also gives the team the financial flexibility to retain and build around this core. “People can say they want a lot of things, but these are the actions that matter. Obviously, it’s not a guarantee that we’re going to win a title, but I want to bring my rock to help the team try to win. It’s a journey and I’m happy to be a part of it.”