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
Doncic?
Doncic commands triple teams, rebounds and playmaker as well. I said that in my post. After 32 he won’t be a super max player
Is he a two way player?
No read my post and stop being a smart ass.i said unless they completely dominate offensively. And he does. Not sure what you’re getting at. You trying to sound smart or you’re just a troll
Reading is hard. I said 113 million NOT a hometown discount. Sorry I missed the comma but seriously look into hooked on phonics you need the help Padam
@chucktoad
Yeah Dirk gave the Mavs a sweet deal and then his documentary reached a distribution deal with Mark Cuban’s Magnolia pictures.
Funny how that worked out.
Nowitzki comes to mind straight away…
Brunson and his dad probably got the Kawhi treatment. Dad gets promoted right before Jalen came over and his agent Sam Rose is the son of Knicks president Leon Rose.
Bring on the Med Beds:
And does the Kawhi treatment indicate that they circumvented the salary cap the way the Clippers did? Because there’s no evidence of that.
@mike
The same exact way Kawhi and LA did? No of course not. Leon Rose’s son being the agent to coach Rick Brunson’s son is totally different than uncle Dennis demanding money for nothing.
Maybe the Rose and Brunson family reunions aren’t cap circumvention but it looks really bad when Brunson leaves money on the table and his dad gets a coaching promotion. Plus son player agent negotiating with a team his dad is a president on seems like an obvious conflict of interest. I’m surprised I had to spell this out to you.
Bring on the Med Beds:
I don’t care what looks bad. I care what’s legal or not. If there are no broken rules and there’s no cap circumvention, then none of the rest of it matters to me. You didn’t spell anything out for me. Just seems like you’re whining over things you don’t like as opposed to what the Clippers did, which is actually to circumvent the salary cap.
@mike If you don’t care why are you responding to me. No one cares what you think. Are you working for Adam silver? You’re just some naive random person online.
My original comment said probably and I never mentioned any rules.
You’re only motivating me to keep mentioning this until Pablo Torre blows this up
Bring on the Med Beds:
I’m responding because this has nothing to do with what looks bad. I’m responding because of your comparison to the Kawhi Leonard situation which was about circumventing the salary cap. I think it’s irresponsible for people to throw that out there when there’s absolutely not a shred of evidence the Knicks did anything to circumvent the salary cap.. So if I want to respond to your comment, I will, you fool. You sound like some lunatic conspiracy theorist. If you’re waiting for Pablo Torre to blow something up here, I think you’re going be waiting a very, very long time. He didn’t announce the Clippers were doing something wrong before breaking the story. He just broke the story. If he legitimately thought that Knicks did something wrong, he’s not going to show his hand before an investigation. Only an idiot would actually believe that.
The Heatles all took less than the max I think to team up.
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
I’m not sure what you’re considering as “today” when you state that nobody does that today. Durant gave up $10 million in 2017 so the Warriors could keep Iggy and Livingston. Harden gave up $14 million to sign with 76ers and LeBron gave up $2.6 million so the Lakers wouldn’t go over the second apron last season. If you go back a little further Bosh, Wade and LeBron all cost themselves about $15 million each to form the Heatles.
Jordan deferred an undisclosed amount of his salary in 1991 so the team could get him some help. It was deferred though so eventually he still got it. He more than made up for it though as he got paid $4 million to play minor league baseball, then signed 2 one year contracts north of $30 million to end his career. He earned every penny and was grossly underpaid as compared to the revenue he brought in but the only money he “sacrificed” was when he donated his salary to 9/11 victims but even then he made far more in ticket sales as he was part owner and people that otherwise wouldn’t have paid to see him play.
Warriors are the reason for the new cap rules.
I’d say today is more about new cap, last 4-5 yrs.
MJ is the definition of Max player. Yet wasn’t the highest paid Bull for yrs so they could keep other players. The Heat didn’t give up shhh. They wanted to be together. And it was only way. Giving up for your team. Is what the post is about. Harden was already washed. Bron 2,5 mill really. We don’t need to discuss guys who made minor adjustments. Brunson gave up guaranteed income. No one comes close to him Today. Only Dirk and MJ but are different circumstances and times.
Bridges got plenty, I’m not as down on him as most Knicks fans, I’m glad he’s here, but he’s not a max guy.
Brunson is the man. He’s been recognized as a top ten player by the people who would know best. Sounds like he won’t have the ball quite as much, and I’m sure Brown will play him fewer minutes than Thibs did. Along with losing a few pounds, all that should help him improve on D. No doubt he can lead the right supporting cast to a championship, and I think with health and the right system, he has that.
Bridges took less than market value. Doesn’t matter who likes him or not. Knicks can’t sugn Yabusele or Shamet if he doesn’t do that.
Bargzzz – if you are a real Knick fan. Then you know Bridges is one of best 2way players around. Last yr was his first year here. Did you expect him to take over. People overdo the price we paid for him. All those picks are late picks. None will be lottery picks. Bridges can be better, gor sure. As a first yr I’m good with it. We do need him to step up on offense this year. 2nd year coming. Just let it happen. This is Knicks core. Been together ONE year. And already finished as second best team in East. Who’s done that their first year together. Believing in your team is part of building a winner and winning.