When Jalen Brunson inked his contract extension in 2024, the NBA world was left completely speechless. In an era where players fight for every single dollar, the New York Knicks’ captain deliberately took a historic pay cut.
Now, we are finally seeing the long-term vision behind that decision.
Breaking news has revealed that Brunson’s calculated gamble has positioned him for an unprecedented payday. In 2028, the superstar point guard will be eligible to sign a 5-year, $417.8 million maximum contract extension with the Knicks.
Here is the full breakdown of how Brunson’s $113 million sacrifice is setting the stage for the most lucrative contract in NBA history.
📉 The $113 Million Sacrifice That Built a Contender
To understand the massive numbers awaiting Brunson in 2028, you have to look back at the summer of 2024.
After leading the Knicks on a deep playoff run, Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension. Had he simply waited one more year until the summer of 2025, he would have been eligible for a five-year, $269 million maximum deal. By signing early, Brunson voluntarily left an estimated $113 million on the table.
This unprecedented concession gave the Knicks’ front office the exact salary cap flexibility they needed to build a true championship-caliber roster. Because Brunson took less, New York was able to:
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Acquire superstar big man Karl-Anthony Towns (who earns $53.1 million this season).
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Trade for and extend his former Villanova teammate Mikal Bridges.
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Re-sign elite wing OG Anunoby to a massive five-year, $212.5 million deal.
In a recent, highly revealing interview with Vanity Fair, Brunson opened up about the move. “I’ve seen players wait and then get hurt, and then they’re at the mercy of the organization,” he admitted. “One hundred percent, I sacrificed for the team. But most importantly, I made sure my family and I are taken care of”.
đź’° The 2028 Payday: A $417.8 Million Reward?
While Brunson secured his family’s immediate future with the $156.5 million deal, he also set himself up for a staggering future payout.
His current contract includes a player option for the 2028-29 season. By opting out and entering negotiations in 2028, Brunson will become eligible for a record-shattering five-year, $417.8 million extension.
If signed, this deal would carry an astronomical average annual salary of over $83 million per season.
And make no mistake—Brunson expects the franchise to reward his initial loyalty. In his Vanity Fair interview, he made his feelings clear regarding his next contract: “Obviously, we’d love for them to do right by me. I think anyone would. I feel like I sacrificed”.
⏳ The 32-Year-Old Dilemma
While Knicks fans want to see Brunson stay in New York forever, this looming mega-extension presents a complex situation for the front office.
By the time 2028 rolls around, Brunson will be 32 years old. Historically, this is the exact age when traditional, undersized point guards begin to experience a physical decline. Committing over $80 million annually to an aging guard is a massive risk under the NBA’s new, highly restrictive salary-cap rules.
However, if Brunson’s early sacrifice results in the Knicks hanging their first championship banner in Madison Square Garden since 1973, team owner James Dolan will have absolutely no justification to deny Brunson every single penny he asks for.
