Jalen Brunson has cemented himself as a vital cog in the New York Knicks lineup since joining the Eastern Conference side in 2022 and is their strongest hope of ending a championship drought that dates back to 1973.
However, his recent “do right by me” remarks, made after taking a pay cut on his current deal, sparked questions about his long-term future in New York. Brunson, however, doesn’t share those concerns, making it clear he remains committed to the organization and its direction.
Jalen Brunson Would Love To Stay With the New York Knicks For The Rest of His Career
Brunson has led the Knicks to the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, where they fell 4–2 to the Indiana Pacers.
He deserves significant credit for the franchise’s resurgence, especially after reportedly leaving $113 million on the table in 2024 to give New York added flexibility to strengthen the roster around him.
“A lot of people say I sacrificed for the team. One hundred percent I sacrificed for the team…Obviously we’d love for them to do right by me. I think anyone would. I feel like I sacrificed,” Brunson told Vanity Fair earlier this month.
Some viewed those remarks as subtle pressure on the front office, but Brunson quickly shut down speculation about his long-term intentions. In a recent interview with the New York Post, he made his stance clear: he will stay in New York.
“I would love to be here for the rest of my career. I love this place,” Brunson said. “They’ve welcomed me with open arms. They’ve been behind my back since Day 1. I built a life here. And I love the city, I love the fans, I love everything this place has offered me, on and off the court. So I just love it here. And I’d love to stay.”
Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension in the summer of 2024, a deal structured to help the Knicks continue building a contender. But he did not shy away from acknowledging that he hopes to be rewarded appropriately down the line.
If he waits until 2028, Brunson could become eligible for a four-year deal worth approximately $323 million. A year later, that figure could rise to a projected five-year contract worth $418 million. Of course, he would be 32 by then, and how his game ages could influence how aggressively New York approaches a future payday.
But if Brunson ultimately delivers the franchise’s first championship since 1973, any future negotiations may take care of themselves.
