Both Jalen Brunson and Carmelo Anthony have established themselves as two of the biggest stars to ever put on the New York Knicks jersey.
While Anthony never won a championship for the Knicks, Brunson brought the title back to New York after 53 years.
Brunson is at the top of the NBA world after leading the franchise to a historic championship. Not only did they win it all, but they also did it by dominating their opponents. They clean swept the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Finals, respectively, before beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals.
The Knicks guard stepped up when it mattered the most during the playoffs. In the end, he was named the Eastern Conference Finals and Finals MVP.
A lot of credit has to be given to Brunson for taking a reduced salary on his contract two years ago. Anthony had an intriguing take regarding Brunson's decision to take a discount on his current contract.
I'm not doing it. You can't make $113 million off the court. I don't know the logic and the thinking behind why he did it.
Carmelo Anthony on Podcast PCarmelo Anthony was one of the many vocal figures critical of Brunson's pay cut. When the deal was announced in 2024, Draymond Green was another player who questioned Brunson's decision. After lifting the title, Josh Hart came in defense of his teammate and clapped back at the Golden State Warriors veteran.
Brunson joined the Knicks in 2022. Two years later, he surprised many by signing a four-year, $156.5 million contract. He was eligible for a max contract, which would earn him $269 million. The pay cut of $113 million was critiqued by many, but it is Brunson with the final laugh after leading the Knicks to the pinnacle of the sport.
Brunson has been doubted and questioned throughout his career. Not only did he respond to his critics with his performances in the playoffs this year, but he has also united the city of New York like never before. Some may still say that he is not a superstar yet; he is an icon for Knicks fans, which is one of the largest fan bases in the NBA.
While he may have taken a pay cut in 2022, New York Post's Stefan Bondy pushed back against the resurfaced clip of Anthony.
Brunson didn't give up $113 million. That number always included an extra two years that Brunson will make up on his next contract. The real number Brunson gave up is for the first three years on his current contract, and this is the number: $37 million.
Stefan Bondy on XThe max contract of $269 million would be a five-year deal for Brunson. Hence, Bondy added the 'real number' Brunson gave up was $37 million. The 30-year-old will be expected to bag a huge contract next year after leading his team to a title.
The likes of Anthony and Green were not entirely wrong with their criticism. The Knicks are one of the biggest franchises in the league; hence, it would not be a problem for them to pay Jalen Brunson the max contract. However, Brunson did it so that the Knicks could build a stronger roster around him.
Former NBA champion Paul Pierce was another critic of Brunson's contract in 2024. Just like for Green and Anthony, an old clip of Pierce went viral as well.
You left $113,000,000 on the table? I get it, you want to win a championship, but that don't guarantee you a Championship. He should've just did what Lebron did, you know Lebron took a pay cut right? You know how much is pay cut was? Like 2-$3Million. A $113,000,000 pay cut?! That's money you're not going to get back. I don't think I've ever, in my history of knowing the league and knowing the numbers I've ever seen somebody take this type of discount.
NBA contracts have changed a lot over the years. With increased broadcasting revenues, players' contracts have skyrocketed in value since Anthony and Pierce last played. But what matters the most is that Brunson's decision paid off in the end.
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