Jalen Brunson took $113M less in 2024, became NBA champion in 2026

Jalen Brunson had a chance to pursue a five-year, $269.1 million contract in 2025. Instead, the Knicks guard signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension in 2024. The projected difference was roughly $113 million in potential earnings.

After two years, Brunson led the Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973 and won the 2026 Finals MVP award.His decision also gave the team more financial flexibility to build its roster. But the $113 million figure does not represent a confirmed loss, as Brunson can pursue another major contract under future eligibility rules

Why Jalen Brunson signed a $156.5 million contract with the Knicks in 2024

Brunson agreed to the extension on July 12, 2024, after the best regular season of his NBA career.

He averaged 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game in 2023-24, earned his first All-Star selection and made the All-NBA Second Team. He also finished fifth in MVP voting. His scoring helped the Knicks finish second in the Eastern Conference and reach the conference semifinals before losing to the Indiana Pacers in seven games.The extension came with a clear financial trade-off. Brunson could sign for $156.5 million over four years in 2024.

By waiting until 2025, he could have pursued a five-year contract projected at $269.1 million. ESPN reported that the difference in potential guaranteed money was approximately $113 million.The larger deal was possible because the NBA's contract rules would have allowed the Knicks to offer him a more lucrative maximum contract after another season. By signing early, Brunson secured his extension before reaching that point.His decision also helped New York manage its payroll. The Knicks had acquired Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade that involved five first-round draft picks. They had also re-signed forward OG Anunoby to a five-year contract worth a reported $212.5 million. Both moves increased the team's financial commitments as the front office tried to build a roster around Brunson.Brunson's extension helped the Knicks stay below the NBA's second-apron threshold, which imposes additional restrictions on teams that spend beyond it.

Those restrictions can limit trades and other roster-building options. His contract gave New York more room to manage its commitments while retaining important players.His father, Rick Brunson, worked as a Knicks assistant coach, while team president Leon Rose had previously represented Jalen as his agent. Brunson had joined New York in 2022 on a four-year, $104 million contract after leaving the Dallas Mavericks.

By 2024, he had developed into an All-NBA guard and the centre of the Knicks' plans.The extension did not guarantee that New York would win a championship. The front office still needed to assemble the right supporting cast, and the players had to perform in the playoffs. But Brunson's willingness to sign early gave the team additional financial flexibility at a critical point in its development.

How the Knicks turned that flexibility into a championship

The Knicks continued to build around Brunson after the extension.

Bridges joined Anunoby, Josh Hart and other key players in a group designed to compete in the Eastern Conference. New York later added Karl-Anthony Towns, giving Brunson another high-level offensive option.Brunson remained the team's primary ball-handler and scorer. His ability to create shots, attack defenders and organise the offence made him central to New York's postseason success.The payoff arrived in June 2026. The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the NBA Finals securing their first championship since 1973.

Brunson scored 45 points in the decisive Game 5, which New York won 94-90. He averaged 32.6 points per game in the Finals and received the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award.The final game showcased the scoring ability that had made Brunson one of the league's leading guards. He scored 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks recovered from a deficit to secure the title. His 45-point performance also set a Knicks record for points in an NBA Finals game.The championship ended a 53-year wait for New York. The franchise had reached the Finals before, but its previous championship came in 1973. Brunson's arrival in 2022 had helped change the team's fortunes, and his performances in the 2026 playoffs placed him at the centre of its title run.The financial decision from 2024 was only one part of that success. New York still needed strong performances from its supporting cast, effective coaching and successful roster moves.

However, Brunson's contract helped the organisation manage its payroll while adding players around its leading guard.

Jalen Brunson’s contract and the Knicks’ championship future

Brunson enters the 2026-27 season as the reigning NBA Finals MVP and the leader of the defending champions. His 2026 postseason performance strengthened his standing in New York, where the franchise had spent decades trying to return to the top of the league.His contract remains relevant as the Knicks manage a roster with several expensive players.

The NBA's salary-cap rules can make it difficult for championship teams to retain every contributor, so the terms of a star player's deal can affect future roster decisions.The Knicks must now balance defending their title with keeping the team competitive over the coming seasons. Brunson's extension gave the organisation more room when it was assembling its championship roster, although future contracts and salary-cap changes will shape what the front office can do next.

His 2024 decision also stands out because it came before the championship was secured. Brunson signed the extension after a strong season, when the Knicks had reached the second round of the playoffs but had not yet made the Finals. He committed to the organisation without knowing whether the roster would eventually win a title.In June 2026, he helped deliver that championship and earned Finals MVP. The projected $113 million difference remains part of his contract story, but it does not tell the whole financial picture. The champ accepted an early extension and helped the team maintain roster flexibility. Above all, he led the team to its first NBA title in 53 years.