Jalen Brunson Urges Knicks To Do Right With Contract

Jalen Brunson told Vanity Fair, "Obviously we'd love for them to do right by me," and added, "I feel like I sacrificed," reminding everyone he took a smaller four-year, $156.5 million deal in 2024 to keep the Knicks under the second apron. That choice helped New York add pieces and rise to 35-20, third in the East, while Brunson keeps producing All-Star level numbers and hardware. His play has turned the Knicks from hopeful to real contenders, so how the club repays that sacrifice matters to both roster building and team identity. Merlin sees a bargain offered now turning into a crossroads later. In two years Brunson is eligible for a five-year, $417.8 million max, and New York will face a clear choice: pay the leader who delivered or risk fraying the trust that built this run.