Despite New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson recently receiving sharp criticism from NBA great Dennis Scott for taking a pay cut on his most recent contract extension, a Hall-of-Famer gave the Villanova product his flowers for more than just the reduced salary he took home.
As KnicksMuse shared on X, NBA legend Charles Barkley gave props to Brunson on ESPN’s Sportscenter for taking less money to compete for a championship (h/t Geoff Magliocchetti of New York Knicks on SI via MSN):
“First of all, he’s a great kid and a hell of a player. What he did for the Knicks, I think, has shocked everybody. I mean, I knew he was a good player but he’s been great since he got to New York,” Barkley said.
“I think he realized, hey for me to make a few extra million dollars and we’re not going to be competitive, nobody wants to do that,” Barkley continued. “I’m happy for that kid, he’s a great kid, kudos to him.”
Knicks: Jalen Brunson’s selfless contract pay cut could help him lead Knicks in 2024-25
With the $113 million the Knicks saved by way of Brunson’s selflessness, New York can add yet another franchise-altering piece to their mix in 2025. The New Jersey native’s leadership is sure to rub off on the team next season. His teammates have taken notice of the gesture and could be more galvanized to come out and play championship-level basketball.
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All of this factored into Barkley’s kudos for the 27-year-old. It is not an easy thing to get favorable remarks from the NBA 75th anniversary team honoree, so Brunson’s appraisal is one to take seriously. Last year’s MVP candidate will enter the 2024-25 campaign on the heels of averaging 28.7 points per game for the Knicks the last time around the NBA sun.
Making roughly $39 million a year on his four-year, $156 million deal, Brunson will still be taking home an annual salary handsome enough to be a proverbial face for television, or a GQ magazine cover at that, while having the best possible chance to compete for a championship and giving Knicks president Leon Rose the leg room to make at least one more shrewd move to increase those chances even more.
