Jalen Brunson has no regrets about the $113 million he left on the table when he signed a long-term extension with the New York Knicks in 2024. The decision helped the Knicks build a championship-winning roster. Now with a 2026 NBA title in hand, Brunson reaffirmed his stance in a post-title interview with Malika Andrews.
Brunson's decision to take a team-friendly deal allowed the Knicks to retain key free agents like Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns. That core proved essential in New York’s 108-102 Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks finished the season with a 58-24 record, their best since the 2003-04 season.
"100% worth it. 100% worth it," Brunson said when asked if the financial sacrifice was justified. "Even if we didn't achieve this, I feel like being able to do that and grind and go on a journey to try and achieve it, it would have been worth it as well, but this is definitely the turn on top."
Brunson led the Knicks in scoring during the 2026 playoffs with an average of 24.7 points per game. His 19 points in Game 7 of the conference finals secured the Knicks' place in the NBA Finals. The 31-year-old point guard also averaged 21.3 points and 6.2 assists per game during the regular season.
New York’s championship run was fueled by a balanced attack. Towns averaged 18.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs. Anunoby chipped in 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. The Knicks’ defense, anchored by Mitchell Robinson’s 2.3 blocks per game, ranked second in the league during the regular season.
Brunson’s leadership was evident throughout the season and playoffs. He finished the year with a true shooting percentage of 59.3, the second-highest of his career. His decision to prioritize team success over personal gain has now been validated with a title.
As for the future, Brunson is already looking ahead. He plans to celebrate the championship before turning his focus to the 2027 season. When asked when he’ll be hungry for another title, Brunson was clear.
"After the parade. Yeah, I think I've done a decent job of being able to not look ahead, not look past anything, staying in the moment," he said. "I'm going to try and enjoy this for a little bit and then once it's time to get back to work, it's back to work."
The Knicks now face the challenge of re-signing key players like Robinson and Shamet. With the 2027 offseason approaching, New York’s ability to retain its core will determine if this title is just the beginning of a new era.
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