Could other NBA players follow Jalen Brunson's lead and leave millions on the table?

It’s pretty safe to say that since Jalen Brunson arrived in the Big Apple, things have been looking up for the New York Knicks. In the decade before he came to town, the Knicks had two winning seasons and two trips the playoffs. Both of those were achievements were matched in Brunson’s first two seasons with New York. And if it weren’t for a slew of injuries, there’s a good chance he would’ve propelled the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in a quarter of a century.

While the Knicks probably won’t buildBrunson a statue any time soon, he is already proving to be one of the best players in franchise history. In addition to his heroics on the court, Brunson is dedicated to his team and winning, not just focused on individual accomplishments or paydays.

If the All-Star guard had waited until after next season, he would have been eligible for a contract worth around $270 million. Instead, he just signed an extension for about $113 million less. He did this for the express purpose of giving the Knicks financial flexibility, allowing them to compete for years to come. Brunson drew inspiration from the likes of Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes in football, who also structured contracts that would help keep their teams competitive.

While it makes perfect sense for players to accept smaller contract in order for money to be disbursed more evenly, this just doesn’t happen very often. Players almost always chase dollar signs, even if it means weakening a team’s maneuverability or leaving a winning club for a losing one. And even when players do take less money, it often pales in comparison to what they have already earned.

Brunson is, of course, still making a ton of money. When his current contract is up, he will surely make a lot more. But, is it possible that this selflessness catches on? New York may have started a trend of re-assembling a college squad on a pro team with the ‘Nova Knicks, but would players actually consider taking significantly less money to keep a winning team together?

If the Knicks string together a number of years of success and their financial flexibility is a big catalyst for it, pressure may fall on big-money players — such as Nikola Jokic or Anthony Edwards — to take discounts when eligible for new contracts.

And, in fact, it looks as though Brunson’s influence is already spreading. New teammate Mikal Bridges is expected to soon sign a very team-friendly deal.