Evan & C-Mac: Jalen Brunson extension solidifies his label as King of New York
Jalen Brunson has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension to not only remain a Knick long term, but also give his team much more financial flexibility than it would have had Brunson signed for $113 million more next summer.
It is an unprecedented move by an athlete looking to maximize his team's championship window, as the contract keeps New York out of the punitive second apron of the salary cap, which would have made additions to the roster more difficult.
Reacting live to the news, first reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Evan and C-Mac agreed that Brunson's sacrifice in the short term will only make him more beloved in New York, if that's even possible given the heights he has helped take the Knicks to in the past two seasons.
"Nobody gets this town better than Jalen Brunson," C-Mac said. "You want to talk about endearing yourself to the fanbase? I can't think of a better way to endear yourself to a fanbase than to literally say 'Winning is more important. I'm going to turn down $113 million to give my team a better chance of victory.'"
Evan noted that there are other reasons to sign an extension now, as Brunson can opt out at the end of his deal and sign a new max extension, which by then could net him a record contract that would make him back all the money he just left on the table, and then some. But that is not a guarantee, making this not only an incredible team-first move, but a bet on himself.
"Just because Jalen Brunson would qualify for a five-year, $400 million dollar deal in 2029, it doesn't mean he'll get it," Evan said. "It is very gutsy and sort of betting on yourself in a lot of ways…there's a risk to it. there's a major risk.
"Derek Jeter wouldn't do it. Mariano Rivera wouldn't do it. Nobody would…Jalen Brunson has done something that is going to make him the king of New York City, if he isn't already…this may have secured it for anybody on the fence."
