By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Superstar guard Jalen Brunson will run it back with the New York Knicks after agreeing to stay with the franchise for four more years on a $156.5 million extension contract deal confirmed on July 13, 2024.
Brunson’s agent Sam Rose shared the update with ESPN’s veteran NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski and added that he was also eligible to sign a massive five-year $269 million contract but chose to have a major pay cut to help the team become more flexible in signing other missing pieces in the off-season or during the free agency period midway through the season.
The Knicks already upgraded their roster heading to the NBA season this October after signing versatile small forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets while keeping the services of OG Anunoby.
With the sacrifice that Brunson made for the New York franchise, the team will have the option to lure more free agents in their quest for a championship-laden roster built around him and superstar power forward Julius Randle.
Brunson was terrific during their recent NBA Playoff run and averaged 32.4 points, 7.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game during the postseason.
Despite missing the services of Randle who had to be ruled out of the NBA season after a shoulder injury, Brunson carried the Knicks against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers to reach the Eastern Conference semifinal round.
Brunson was in the zone during their first-round playoff series and dealt Embiid a heartbreaking Game 6 loss when he erupted for 41 points, 12 assists, and three rebounds.
Although Brunson and the Knicks lost to the fast-paced Indiana Pacers in the next round, New York still had a great run and is already gearing up for a bounce-back with a healthy Randle on the way to reinforce the squad.
Aside from Bridges and Anunoby, the Knicks also retained Brunson’s backcourt allies Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo who were key players during their NBA Playoff run.
However, the Knicks will have to search for a replacement to their center Isaiah Hartenstein who departed with the team after signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
