Jalen Brunson on Knicks Contract: 'Simple... Actions Speak Louder Than Just Talking'

New York Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson explained Thursday why he signed a contract extension with the Knicks this offseason and left future money on the table.

During an appearance on his Roommates Show podcast (h/t KnicksMuse) with Knicks teammate Josh Hart, Brunson discussed the four-year, $156.5 million extension he signed in July, saying: "It's kinda simple. I want to be here. I want to show that actions speak louder than just talking about stuff. I want this team to be together for a long time. I want to win here. That's it."

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Brunson's decision to sign an extension when he did was somewhat surprising since he would have been eligible for the max extension of five years and $269 million at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Instead, Brunson passed up an additional $113 million so he could pledge his long-term commitment to the organization and create space to make other moves.

The Knicks made the most of Brunson's generosity by both re-signing OG Anunoby and acquiring wing Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

Despite dealing with several injuries to key players, the Knicks had the second-best record in the Eastern Conference last season at 50-32, and they made it to Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs.

With Bridges joining a core of Brunson, Anunoby, Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Hart, the Knicks are widely regarded as the second-most talented team in the East behind only the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.

Brunson, who blossomed into a superstar after signing a four-year deal in free agency with the Knicks in 2022, has played a huge role in the Knicks renaissance.

After the Knicks missed the postseason in 2021-22, Brunson has led them to the second round of the playoffs in back-to-back years.

He is also coming off a career year that saw him finish fifth in the NBA MVP voting by virtue of averaging 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.7 three-pointers made per game.

Brunson could have commanded much more on a new contract had he waited, but he is clearly happy in New York, and he wanted to do anything he could to help the Knicks position themselves to win their first championship since 1973.