Proposed NBA Trade Has Knicks Add 2 Bigs Headlined by $113 Million Star…

In an unprecedented move in today’s NBA, Jalen Brunson gave up more than $100 million to sign a much lower deal extension than he could have.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN, Brunson agreed on a four-year $156.5 million extension with the New York Knicks, $113 million less guaranteed than he was eligible to sign.

The deal includes a player option in the fourth year. If the star guard waited a year and signed a deal in 2025 instead, he would’ve gotten a five-year $269 million contract with the team.

Brunson will be eligible to sign a four-year $323 million deal in 2028 if he declines his $43.3 million player option or a five-year $418 million contract in 2029 if he fulfills his current contract.

Brunson’s move allows the Knicks to be much more flexible in keeping the current roster and acquiring additional talent. People have already likened the move to that of Tom Brady, the legendary NFL quarterback who often chose a lower deal with the New England Patriots to give the team flexibility in keeping the current players and getting free agents.

The Knicks will save approximately $37 million over three years by signing Brunson to the current deal instead of him re-signing later.