The 2024 NBA offseason has been a huge one for New York Knicks star point 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 is certainly nothing to sneeze at money-wise, but by agreeing to that deal, Brunson essentially cost himself $113 million.
Had Jalen Brunson waited to sign a new contract during the 2025 NBA offseason, he would have been eligible for a five-year deal worth $269.1 million. However, had he gone that route, the New York Knicks front office would have been handcuffed when it comes to making moves to upgrade the roster.
With winning being Brunson’s No. 1 goal, he took less money now, something he can earn back down the road, for roster flexibility. Leon Rose and the front office now have some wiggle room under the second apron and will avoid dreaded repeater taxes, 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 are going to have a captain and their star point guard will be wearing the C on his jersey.
Since landing in New York during the 2022 NBA offseason, the Villanova product has cemented his place as a leader of the team. He has taken his games to heights not even the most optimistic of projectors could have seen coming as he has turned himself into a bonafide star.
Brunson will be the 36th team captain in franchise history. He is only the second player who was a second-round pick to earn the honor, joining “The Captain” Willis Reed.
The last captain the Knicks had was Lance Thomas. Some of the 36 were co-captains, such as in the 1997-98 NBA season when Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Charles Oakley and Herb Williams all held it.
After earning his first All-Star and All-NBA spots during the 2023-24 season, expectations are on the rise for Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. Rose acquired another one of his former Villanova teammates this offseason, landing Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
Adding Bridges to OG Anunoby on the wing gives New York the best two-way wing combo in the NBA to combat the Boston Celtics. Don’t forget multi-time All-Star and All-NBA Team member Julius Randle, who will be healthy when the season begins after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury this past season.
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