The 2024 NBA offseason was a big one for New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. He set a shocking precedent this offseason when he agreed to a new contract extension with the team.
The two sides agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million extension in July. That’s not something to sneeze at in terms of money, but by agreeing to that deal, Brunson essentially paid himself $113 million.
If Jalen Brunson had waited to sign a new contract until the 2025 NBA offseason, he could have been eligible for a five-year, $269.1 million deal. However, if he had gone that route, the New York Knicks board would have been handcuffed when it came to making moves to improve the roster.
With winning as Brunson’s No. 1 goal, he’s now taken less money, something he can earn in the future, for roster flexibility. Leon Rose and management now have some leeway under the second apron and will avoid the dreaded rebound tax, something other contenders don’t have the luxury of.
That wasn’t the only big news for Jalen Brunson this offseason. For the first time in six years, the New York Knicks will have a captain, and their star point guard will wear the C on his jersey.
Brunson will be the 36th team captain in franchise history. He’s just the second second-round pick to earn the honor, joining “The Captain” Willis Reed.
The last Knicks captain was Lance Thomas. Some of the 36 were co-captains, as in the 1997-98 NBA season, when Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Charles Oakley and Herb Williams all held the honor.