Coming off of spectacular 2023-24 campaign, All-Star guard Jalen Brunson is set to reach a contract extension with the New York Knicks this offseason.
“All indications are” that he’s “willing to sign a 4-year, $156 million contract extension,” per Newsday’s Steve Popper. In doing so, he’ll “provide (five) more years of certainty in New York, rather than waiting until next summer for a 5-year, $270 million extension”
The 27-year-old originally signed a four-year, $104 million contract with New York in 2022. A second-round draft pick in 2018, Brunson spent his first four seasons with Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. Breaking out in the 2022 NBA Playoffs with 21.6 points per game, Brunson then left the Mavs after both sides failed to come to terms on a contract extension.
Jalen Brunson to Sign Rich Contract Extension With Knicks
Brunson’s heroics beguile the Knicks in a way that they didn’t with the Mavs. So much so that the Villanova product has emerged as New York’s top option since his arrival. In fact, ‘Broadway Brunson’ is what they should call him, with theatrical performances that have drawn standing ovations.
Averaging career-highs of 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game, the Knicks were often able to elude defeat in argue part because of his skill and will. Indeed, while he wasn’t a finalist for the Clutch Player of the Year Award, he was tied for ninth in total clutch points (106) in 2023-24. Often playing without three-time All-Star Julius Randle —who averaged 24.0 points per game but was limited to 40 games due to injury —Brunson has won New York over with his tough-mindedness.
That same clutch gene is what allowed him to explode for 32.4 points per game in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The Knicks were beaten down and tired. Randle was out with a dislocated shoulder. OG Anunoby had sustained a hamstring injuries. Mitchell Robinson had a sprained ankle, aggravating the injury during postseason. Bojan Bogdanovic was sidelined after undergoing season-ending foot surgery midway through the First Round.
Brunson wasn’t 100 percent either, having injured his foot in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Nonetheless, he put the team on his back, producing 51.2 points per game in the playoffs. As the Knicks averaged 109.9 points per game this postseason, he was responsible for 47.2 percent of their offense. That’s a special performance for any player, let alone one who wasn’t expected to be this good.
Brunson deserves every dollar coming his way this offseason. Unlike the last time the Knicks signed him to a contract, there’s no doubt about it.
