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New York Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson is making headlines for all the right reasons as he stepped up and did something exceedingly uncommon in professional sports.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that agent Sam Rose confirmed that Brunson agreed to a four-year, $156 million extension on Friday.
While that figure represents a lucrative deal, Brunson apparently left a staggering $113 million guaranteed on the table as he rejected what he would be eligible to receive in just one year.
This move gives the Knicks much-needed roster flexibility as the team attempts to put the right pieces together to challenge the world champion Boston Celtics.
In a largely unprecedented financial concession to give roster flexibility to a contender, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson has agreed on a four-year, $156.5 million extension, his agent Sam Rose of CAA tells ESPN — $113M less guaranteed than he’s eligible to receive in one… pic.twitter.com/DDJvz7TUlr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2024
Needless to say, fans reacted strongly to this remarkable display of putting team goals first.
BUILD THE STATUE
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) July 12, 2024
Knicks fans to Jalen Brunson:#NewYorkForever | #NBA pic.twitter.com/X0y84W4cj9
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) July 12, 2024
Knicks fans to Jalen Brunson pic.twitter.com/4ZQBPqsJ2S
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) July 12, 2024
real dude for taking a paycut, now who’s NY targeting?
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜 (@BronGotGame) July 12, 2024
Friday was the first day Brunson was eligible to negotiate and sign the extension.
The $156.5 million package will cost the star guard $37.1 million over the next three seasons and features a fourth-year player option.
The Knicks, as currently constructed, have perhaps their deepest roster in two decades, and they are poised to challenge for the top spot in the notably weak Eastern Conference.
Brunson’s acceptance of the deal means the Knickerbockers will be much more able to keep their current lineup intact and continue to move pieces to construct a true championship contender.
The 27-year-old Brunson was named to the All-NBA Team for the first time last season as he averaged a stellar 28.7 points per game with 4.7 assists.
He became a Knick in 2022 after four years with the Dallas Mavericks, and his production has steadily increased along with his experience.
The post Fans React To Today’s Jalen Brunson News appeared first on The Cold Wire.