In a blockbuster move that reaffirms the New York Knicks’ commitment to long-term contention, All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson has agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension, league sources confirmed Friday. The deal not only secures Brunson’s future with the Knicks but cements his status as the franchise’s most valuable and impactful player in the modern era.
Brunson, 28, has rapidly evolved into the heart and soul of the Knicks since joining the team in 2022. After signing a four-year, $104 million deal as a free agent from the Dallas Mavericks, many questioned whether Brunson was worth such an investment. But in just two seasons, he has silenced all doubts — and then some.
This past season, Brunson averaged a career-best 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game, establishing himself not only as the Knicks’ leading scorer but as one of the top point guards in the NBA. His poise, playmaking, and scoring prowess have brought stability and star power to a Knicks franchise long in search of a true leader.
With the Knicks returning to the playoffs and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in consecutive years, Brunson’s impact on and off the court has become undeniable. The extension is seen by many as a statement of intent from New York — one that makes clear they are building around their star point guard for the foreseeable future.
“Jalen has been everything we hoped for and more,” Knicks President Leon Rose said in a statement following the announcement. “His leadership, his work ethic, and his ability to rise to the moment have made him the cornerstone of our team.”
Brunson’s new extension, which kicks in after the 2024–25 season, is structured to maximize flexibility for the Knicks while rewarding him with the significant financial recognition he’s earned. Notably, Brunson reportedly turned down the chance to wait another year for a potential supermax deal worth over $250 million — a selfless move that could help the franchise retain cap space to build around him.
The move also places Brunson in rarefied air historically. With this deal, he becomes the highest-paid player in Knicks history on an annual average salary basis, surpassing former stars such as Carmelo Anthony and Allan Houston. More importantly, his leadership has rekindled hope in Madison Square Garden — a building often described as the “Mecca of Basketball,” but one that has endured years of postseason futility until recently.
Brunson’s rise has been as unlikely as it is inspiring. Drafted 33rd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, the former Villanova standout was overshadowed early in his career by flashier names. Yet through sheer determination, skill development, and an unwavering focus, he’s risen to the top of the league’s guard hierarchy.
His synergy with fellow stars Julius Randle and Josh Hart, as well as emerging talents like Donte DiVincenzo and RJ Barrett, has created a strong core that Knicks fans hope can deliver the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973.
The Knicks are now in a rare position of both stability and upward momentum — something that’s been elusive in recent decades. With Brunson locked in through the 2028–29 season, the team can continue to build on its foundation while exploring moves to further enhance the roster.
For Brunson, this moment is a culmination of belief — both in himself and in the vision the Knicks pitched to him two summers ago.
“I came to New York to help bring this team back to where it belongs,” Brunson said in a brief statement. “We’re not there yet — but we’re getting closer every day.”
And now, with a new contract and a city firmly behind him, Jalen Brunson stands as the face of the Knicks’ resurgence — a title earned not by hype, but by heart.