When Jalen Brunson accepted a four-year, $156.5 million extension with the New York Knicks on July 12, the basketball world was stunned.
Brunson, coming off a top-five finish in the 2023-24 MVP race and having led New York to playoff series victories in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000, had agreed to take more than $100 million less than he could have by waiting to sign a five-year contract next summer.
The unprecedented decision could help New York, fresh off adding the fourth "Nova Knick" this summer with its blockbuster acquisition of Brooklyn Nets wing Mikal Bridges, keep what it hopes will be a championship-contending team together for the next several years.