Jalen Brunson passed on $113 million to win an NBA title with his friends.

Jalen Brunson passed on $113 million to win an NBA title with his friends.

When Brunson was eligible for a 5-year $269 million extension in 2024, he turned it down so that the Knicks could build a deeper roster.

Which at that point, they didn't really need to do. 

The Knicks were already a contender in the east that just lost in 7 to the Indiana Pacers in the semis.

A series the Knicks could've easily won if it weren't for injuries. 

Instead, Brunson signed a 4-year $156.5M extension. 

That same offseason, the Knicks returned the favor by adding KAT and Mikal Bridges. 

By taking less money, the Knicks stayed under the 2nd apron allowing them to re-sign Anunoby and Bridges to long term deals too.

Two years later, Brunson is an NBA champion and the hero that ended the Knicks 53-year title drought.

Even if the Knicks didn't win, Brunson said the journey and grind alone to try and win a title was already worth more than $113 million.

“Even if we didn’t achieve this, I feel like being able to do that and grind and go on a journey to try and achieve it would have been worth it, as well."

New York got themselves the perfect franchise player. See less