**Former Dallas Maverick Jalen Brunson Signs Unexpected Extension With New York Knicks**
Jalen Brunson, who left the Dallas Mavericks for the New York Knicks in free agency a few seasons ago, has signed a surprising contract extension with the Knicks, leaving a substantial amount of money on the table.
Brunson, who had become a key secondary scorer alongside Luka Doncic, was not re-signed by the Mavericks to a 4-year, $55 million extension before his final season in Dallas. His breakout performance that season led to a 4-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks.
Now, Brunson has opted for a significant pay cut to stay with the Knicks, agreeing to a 4-year, $156 million deal. This decision leaves over $113 million unclaimed had he waited a year. Adrian Wojnarowski provides a detailed comparison of Brunson’s earnings versus potential earnings.
Brunson chose to take less money to help the Knicks retain his close friends in the future. The Knicks have made moves to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, reuniting him with his Villanova teammates Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo. They also re-signed O.G. Anunoby to a max extension and still have Julius Randle.
The deal includes a player option for 2028-29, allowing Brunson to sign a 4-year, $323 million deal in 2028 or a 5-year, $418 million deal in 2029. This will enable him to regain some value in the future, while the Knicks will avoid luxury tax concerns for the next few years under Brunson’s new contract.
Brunson had a standout season, earning All-NBA second team honors with an average of 28.7 points per game (PPG) and 6.7 assists per game (APG). With his close friends and the re-signing of Anunoby, the Knicks are poised to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Leave a Reply