Although it doesn’t match the sacrifice that Jalen Brunson made by giving up a potential $113MM in his latest contract, it’s still significant that Knicks forward Mikal Bridges accepted $150MM in the four-year extension he signed this summer when he was eligible for roughly $6MM more, writes Steve Popper of Newsday (subscription required).
There was speculation that Bridges, who was set to become a free agent in 2026, might not be eager to sign up for a long-term commitment in New York after a difficult first season with the team. But he said at media day that he wants his future to be with the Knicks and he never considered any other options.
“Because I love it here,” he added. “Love the fans, love the culture, love the staff and everybody, front office, everything, teammates. That’s probably the biggest thing. I know, throughout last year, last year was tough throughout the season and playoffs helped a little bit but I think I just appreciate the fans and everybody. I think a lot of people thought I might be upset because everybody was getting on me too hard, but I think I was more mad at myself because everything they want was what I want so it’s not like a ‘why ‘y’all getting on me?’ Some things get a little too crazy, but that’s just life [and] how it is.”
There’s more from New York:
- Brunson dropped a few pounds over the summer in anticipation of playing at a faster pace under new head coach Mike Brown, according to Zach Braziller of The New York Post (subscription required). “It was important for me to be a little lighter just throughout the course of the season,” said Brunson, who refused to divulge his new weight. “Not even being lighter, I’m not that much lighter, definitely more toned and like that. But it’s just important for me to get my body in the best shape possible I can and go from there.”
- When he was coaching the Nigerian national team, Brown tried to recruit OG Anunoby for the Tokyo Olympics, Braziller adds in the same piece. Anunoby declined the offer, partially due to COVID concerns, but he’s looking forward to finally playing for Brown. “I was excited (when the Knicks hired Brown),” Anunoby said. “I’ve known Mike for some years now. I was excited when I found out he was the coach. We talked pretty quickly, just about everything, not even basketball, but life stuff.”
- Brown is happy to see his players adapting to a new offensive system so quickly, per Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News (subscription required). While former coach Tom Thibodeau preferred a slower approach, Brown is installing the up-tempo, quick-decision attack he used in Sacramento. “Their attentiveness has been great,” Brown said after Friday’s practice. “Today was the first time where we really had a chance to bump heads and scrimmage. So when you go against a different color jersey instead of just going through it 5-on-0 or against the coaches, it’s a little different. But our guys did a good job. It’ll be even more different when we go against Philly in Abu Dhabi. I like our progress so far — but we’ve still got a long way to go.”
Curious does anyone know of other players who have sacrificed lots of money like that for the better of team? Pretty amazing actually not something you hear about regularly (I’m talking 113 million not a simple hometown discount)
Unlike Brunson, Dirk Nowitzki took real pay cuts and signed for well below his market value on multiple occasions. In 2010, he agreed to a 4-year, $80 million deal when he could have signed for 4 years and $96 million. Later, he accepted a 3-year, $25 million contract even though his max at the time would’ve been 5 years and $239 million. After that, he signed a one-year deal for $25 million. While it’s unlikely he would have received the full $239 million given his age, he still could have easily secured $175 million or more.
$113M isn’t a real pay cut? You’re delusional.
Brunson signed for the maximum he could’ve last off season. He certainly could’ve waited a season and taken a chance that he wouldn’t have a major injury but there’s no guarantee. He also signed a four year deal with a player option which lines him up for a supermax earlier than he would have had he signed a 5 year deal this off season. Don’t get me wrong over the first three years of his extension he’s losing $37 million which isn’t nothing. Also if he has a major injury between now and when he’s eligible for his next extension it could cost him upwards of $113 million in total.
Brunson actually got a raise of about $10 million from what he would’ve made this season if he’s picked up his option. He also got significantly more than what people thought he was going to get when he left Dallas for New York.
Bronson is not worth the full max. He’s a one-way player. No one-way player unless they completely dominate offensively so good that they cause triple teams is worth the max. But I don’t I can name one player in the top 10 of all time. Who did him play defense? Not saying that they had legendary defense. There were a few like Larry Bird or either magic but you just weren’t coming down and scoring on them and they weren’t a mismatch. Bronson is a mismatch on defense and has no defensive ability. So in his prime he can average 2526 but he’s giving up at least 15 to 20 points. So no you’re not going to give that person Max money. And I love brunson, but the only Max players in the NBA should be guys who are two-way players who play defense and can dominate the ball on offense
Fact is Brunson gave up guaranteed money. On his extension. Plus he took a bit less than market value. He helped Knicks ability to sign OG, Hart, Bridges.
Today nobody does that. And with new cap rules. It means a lot. MJ was first to do it for his team. Only he was the only one making real endorsement money then. Dirk also gave up a lot for his team. And Cuban took care of him after his retirement.
Knicks are all in on Towns. So we need to see improvement this year from him and Brunson on team D. Make it easier to move Mitch. Hukporti stepping up also will help make it easier. Mitch has an expiring contract. And Knicks don’t have the money to pay him. He can start on another team. Mitch is definitely Knicks best trade asset. Brogdon getting a roster spot is all media hype imo. McBride is not giving up so easy. I welcome the competition. NYK