Jalen Brunson Reveals Knicks Contract Expectations

Jalen​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Brunson handed the New York Knicks a present with his contract in 2024. He's well aware of that. At the same time, he is hoping that the Knicks will keep that in mind when 2028 rolls ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌around.

In an Interview with Vanity Fair, Brunson was asked about his next contract as he becomes eligible for a massive deal starting in 2028, and his response was straightforward.

"Obviously we'd love for them to do right by me," Brunson said. "I think anyone would. I feel like I sacrificed."

And he really did sacrifice. Brunson signed for $156.5 million over four years in 2024. Sounds like a lot, but had he waited just one more year, he was eligible for a five-year max deal worth $269 million. That's $113 million he walked away from, on purpose, so the Knicks could have the cap space to build a real contender around him.

Brunson explained why he was okay with that, and it says a lot about how he thinks.

"If I'm thinking about playing well to make sure I get paid, that could mess with me," he told Vanity Fair. "I play best when I have a free mind, and that did that for me. One hundred percent I sacrificed for the team. But most importantly, I made sure my family and I are taken care of."

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ strategy paid off in the game as well. Currently, the Knicks are third in the Eastern Conference with a 34-20 record, they had been on a roll with an eight-game winning streak before a heavy defeat by the Pistons ended it.

Throughout the whole situation, Brunson has been the driving force of the team, this season he has been averaging 27 points on 47 percent shooting with 6.1 ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌assists.

Jalen Brunson's 2028 Contract: How Much Could the Knicks Owe Him?