League execs predict other players may follow Jalen Brunson's path
In the wake of Brunson’s surprising move, the question buzzing around Las Vegas has been whether this could be the start of a trend. Brunson is taking a significant pay cut, but he’s also now made well over $200 million in his career and could easily get another huge extension later in his career. Meanwhile, he gets to play with three college teammates — Bridges, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo — and is on a team that has a chance to contend atop the Eastern Conference for the next few seasons. So as salaries continue to grow ahead of the league’s $76 billion television deal that kicks in for the 2025-26 season, league executives in Vegas have posited that some players could follow Brunson’s lead to help their teams navigate the restrictions of the new CBA while still signing massive contracts.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Jalen Brunson @jalenbrunson1
Roommates coming to you LIVE
Our first ever live event, The Roommates Show Block Party is taking place on September 7th! Hope to see you there🤝🏽
Tickets go on sale at 10am EST on Friday, register for pre-sale here:
RoommatesLive.com pic.twitter.com/Ve9PjEwq9e – 4:19 PM
Roommates coming to you LIVE
Our first ever live event, The Roommates Show Block Party is taking place on September 7th! Hope to see you there🤝🏽
Tickets go on sale at 10am EST on Friday, register for pre-sale here:
RoommatesLive.com pic.twitter.com/Ve9PjEwq9e – 4:19 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, breaking down effects of the Jalen Brunson extension, the Cam Payne signing, what’s next for Thibs, Tyler Kolek’s summer league and more.
Listen/Subscribe: patreon.com/posts/episode-… pic.twitter.com/byM5hqPeDr – 4:03 PM
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, breaking down effects of the Jalen Brunson extension, the Cam Payne signing, what’s next for Thibs, Tyler Kolek’s summer league and more.
Listen/Subscribe: patreon.com/posts/episode-… pic.twitter.com/byM5hqPeDr – 4:03 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Looking at this summer league banner and both Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are part of the 2018 history but only one has the MVP trophy. pic.twitter.com/wXRlb7xlQo – 9:26 PM
Looking at this summer league banner and both Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are part of the 2018 history but only one has the MVP trophy. pic.twitter.com/wXRlb7xlQo – 9:26 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
The Knicks’ current projected rotation entering next season:
Starters = Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
Second Unit = Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart
It’s officially time to finally call New York a championship contender. pic.twitter.com/Wz9sAWfr8x – 12:44 PM
The Knicks’ current projected rotation entering next season:
Starters = Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
Second Unit = Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart
It’s officially time to finally call New York a championship contender. pic.twitter.com/Wz9sAWfr8x – 12:44 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart will transform Central Park into The Roommates Show Block Party – Live From Central Parkm Saturday September 7, 2024. Tickets will go on-sale this Friday at 10:00AM ET at RoommatesLive.com. pic.twitter.com/nFFyIXHtDF – 10:12 AM
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart will transform Central Park into The Roommates Show Block Party – Live From Central Parkm Saturday September 7, 2024. Tickets will go on-sale this Friday at 10:00AM ET at RoommatesLive.com. pic.twitter.com/nFFyIXHtDF – 10:12 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
fyi for those interested:
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are hosting a live recording of their podcast, The Roommates Show, on Saturday September 7th in Central Park – featuring Jon Stewart, Mikal Bridges, and a musical performance by Action Bronson pic.twitter.com/Fvwvg7DlNw – 10:03 AM
fyi for those interested:
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are hosting a live recording of their podcast, The Roommates Show, on Saturday September 7th in Central Park – featuring Jon Stewart, Mikal Bridges, and a musical performance by Action Bronson pic.twitter.com/Fvwvg7DlNw – 10:03 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
The New York Knicks:
Terry Johnson
Jalen Brunson
Mikal Bridges
Josh Hart
Miles McBride
Donte DiVincenzo
Mitchell Robinson
OG Anunoby
Julius Randle
Jericho Sims
Deep. pic.twitter.com/VUlv0yeXnx – 7:15 PM
The New York Knicks:
Terry Johnson
Jalen Brunson
Mikal Bridges
Josh Hart
Miles McBride
Donte DiVincenzo
Mitchell Robinson
OG Anunoby
Julius Randle
Jericho Sims
Deep. pic.twitter.com/VUlv0yeXnx – 7:15 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
More Knicks in the latest This Week In Basketball compilation … which leads off with yet another hat-tip for Jalen Brunson. Full column: open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/… pic.twitter.com/HjY49kxz0a – 7:04 PM
More Knicks in the latest This Week In Basketball compilation … which leads off with yet another hat-tip for Jalen Brunson. Full column: open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/… pic.twitter.com/HjY49kxz0a – 7:04 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“Do I wish he maxed out the dollars or got all the bank? Yes. But this is a good deal for him. He’s where he wants to be. I think everyone’s happy.”
@Rjeff24 reacts to Jalen Brunson’s $156.5M extension with the Knicks pic.twitter.com/GM16nuc79n – 3:36 PM
“Do I wish he maxed out the dollars or got all the bank? Yes. But this is a good deal for him. He’s where he wants to be. I think everyone’s happy.”
@Rjeff24 reacts to Jalen Brunson’s $156.5M extension with the Knicks pic.twitter.com/GM16nuc79n – 3:36 PM
More on this storyline
Jorge Sierra: FWIW: Jalen Brunson averaged 6.8 ppg on 22.7 percent shooting at the Vegas Summer League. He’s one of seven All-Stars who didn’t even average double figures there. (A list that includes Nikola Jokic). -via Twitter @hoopshype / July 17, 2024
A couple weeks after Hartenstein’s departure in free agency, Brunson agreed to an extension at a hefty discount — a four-year, $156.5 million deal that could’ve been about $113 million more over five years if he waited until free agency next summer. Hartenstein, a journeyman through most of his six pro seasons with just $22.65 million in career earnings, explained why he wasn’t in the same position to make a sacrifice like Brunson. “He’s kind of in a different situation than I’m in. Already made $100 million (in his career). He’s the star player, knows he probably won’t ever get traded. So it’s a different situation,” Hartenstein said. “But that also shows what kind of a leader he is to make those sacrifices. I don’t think a lot of people are making those sacrifices. I think our situations are a little bit different but I have a lot of respect for him as a player and a human being for doing that.” -via New York Post / July 16, 2024
The Knicks, as Hartenstein confirmed in the interview Monday with The Post, made the biggest offer they could given their cap restrictions — four years, $72.5 million — which is about $11 million less annually than the Thunder contract. Jalen Brunson participated in the pitch to retain Hartenstein. “They said whatever we can give you, we’re going to give you,” Hartenstein said. “I talked to Jalen a couple times, Jalen and the guys. They really wanted me back and I really appreciate that. But it was definitely a hard decision. I couldn’t say no to an opportunity like this.” -via New York Post / July 16, 2024