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Why the New York Knicks paying Jalen Brunson isn’t that bad

By Jack Simone

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 12: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter of Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at American Airlines Center on May 12, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 12: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter of Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at American Airlines Center on May 12, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 12: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Alec Burks #18 of the New York Knicks in action against Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on January 12, 2022 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Mavericks 108-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

NBA free agency is almost here, and just like every season, there has been plenty of tampering. A few deals have already essentially gone down, yet teams and players aren’t even allowed to talk to each other yet.

This year, the pre-determined rumors involve PJ Tucker and the Philadelphia 76ers, but more prominently, Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks.

Brunson has long been connected to the Knicks, and those rumors expanded even more when the team signed his dad as an assistant coach. And now, it’s looking like he’ll be in New York to start next year.

Why the New York Knicks paying Jalen Brunson isn’t that bad

After his amazing success with the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs this past year, Brunson has earned himself a payday. In fact, he’s earned himself a massive payday.

According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Knicks are expected to offer him a deal worth roughly $110 million over the course of four years. That’s around $27 million per season on average.

At first glance, that seems like an insane payday for Brunson, a player who’s never even been close to being an All-Star. But when you take a closer look, it’s not actually that bad of a deal.

Next year, players who are set to make around that much money include DeMar DeRozan ($27.3 million), John Collins ($23.5 million), Kevin Love ($28.9 million), and Gordon Hayward ($30.1 million).

Now, it’s obviously not a perfect science, but the Knicks are taking an upside swing here. If you were to say that Brunson will be a better player than Hayward next season, a lot of people would believe you.

DeRozan and Collins? Maybe not so much, but you get the point. New York needs a point guard to run their offense, and there’s some belief that Brunson has yet to reach his full potential.

Since he’s spent his entire career behind Luka Doncic, he hasn’t had the chance to control the offense on his own. With the Knicks, he’ll finally get that opportunity.

So, while paying Brunson the amount of money he’s set to make may seem like a crazy idea, it’s not as bad as it sounds. And if it pays off, New York will look like geniuses.

(But if it doesn’t… well, they’re willing to take that risk.)

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