Jalen Brunson Makes Shocking Revelation About Knicks Teammate (2024)

Jalen Brunson Makes Shocking Revelation About Knicks Teammate (1)

Getty Knicks star Jalen Brunson and Kazeem Famuyide speak onstage at the Fanatics Fest NYC 2024 at Jacob Javits Center on August 16, 2024 in New York City.

It’s the time in the offseason when NBA players are taking their vacation and their minds off basketball. So when Jalen Brunson dropped a gem of an anecdote about his new New York Knicks teammate Mikal Bridges, it came as a shock to everyone.

“That man got off the plane from London last night (August 16). And then he was in the gym this morning (August 17), bright early,” Brunson revealed at Fanatics Fest NYC. “That’s everything you should know about him.”

The packed crowd at The Theatre in Jacob Javits Convention Center roared in approval.

While Brunson and Bridges are excited to be reunited after they teamed up at Villanova in college, there is immense pressure to deliver this coming season after what the Knicks gave up to get him across the Brooklyn Bridge from the Nets.

The Knicks traded four unprotected and one top-four protected pick for Bridges, who has never been an All-Star in his first six seasons in the league. But for Brunson, that is so worth it.

“He just fits the puzzle perfectly,” Brunson said, like he just can do whatever you ask of him and then more. And that’s kind of a person he is.”

Bridges shared that sentiment during his introductory press conference on July 9.

“I think I fit in really well,” Bridges told reporters.

The 28-year-old Bridges would likely return to his complementary role after averaging 21 points over a season and a half as the No. 1 option for a Nets team that lost Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Heis expected to start alongside Brunson in the Knicks’ backcourt with OG Anunoby, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt.

Mikal Bridges Expected to Sign Team-Friendly Extension

The Knicks acquired Bridges, who is still locked for two more years on a team-friendly deal. The former All-Defensive wing will earn roughly $48 million over the next two seasons, a bargain for what he brings to the table as a skilled two-way player.

After Brunson gave the Knicks a hometown discount for signing a four-year, 156.5 million extension, Bridges is expected to follow suit, according to Substack’s NBA insider Marc Stein.

“League sources say that the expectation now, furthermore, is that Bridges is likely to follow Brunson’s lead and sign a team-friendly deal of his own when it’s his turn to negotiate an extension (he’s eligible for a shorter and less attractive deal as soon as Oct. 1 or a four-year extension if he waits until after the season) that cements himself at MSG alongside his fellow former Villanova teammates Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo,” Stein wrote on July 15.

Knicks’ Projections with Mikal Bridges

Coming off a 50-win campaign and one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks are projected to be better with Bridges.

They are one of the teams expected to challenge defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.

ESPN’s panel of experts slotted the Knicks as the third-best team in the East, just a point shy of the revamped Philadelphia 76ers, who have added nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George into the mix.

The Celtics are the overwhelming favorites with 97 points while the Sixers are a distant second with 39 points and 38 points for the Knicks from the ESPNexperts who ranked their top choices for the East and West — and the eventual NBA champion — with a first-place vote receiving five points, a second-place vote receiving three and a third-place vote receiving one.

Alder Almo is a basketball journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 15 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo

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Jalen Brunson Makes Shocking Revelation About Knicks Teammate (2024)

FAQs

What did the Knicks give up for Jalen Brunson? ›

Just this weekend, Brunson afforded the squad room for additional aid on the roster, passing up $113 million to make a team-friendly four-year, $156 million deal. Brunson did so with clear intentions to help New York add to its starry roster, and it was a selfless move that Colin Cowherd absolutely loved.

What is Jalen Brunson salary with the Knicks? ›

Knicks G Jalen Brunson would have been eligible for a five-year, $269M deal at the end of the 2024-25 season, but opted to sign a four-year, $156.5M contract extension on Friday, leaving $113M on the table to re-sign immediately, providing future salary cap flexibility while the team attempts to “compete for a title in ...

Does Jalen Brunson have a charity? ›

In this spirit, Jalen is proud to introduce the Second Round Inc., his charitable organization that will serve under resourced youth through academics, sports and outreach.

What nationality is Jalen Brunson? ›

Jalen Marquis Brunson (born August 31, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

How much money did Jalen Brunson give up? ›

Still, Brunson's sacrifice—nearly $113 million, all told—is of a different order, and might earn him a different reward.

Why has Jalen Brunson agreed to the greatest financial favor in NBA history? ›

There were financial arguments for why locking in the money was worthwhile. Brunson appreciated the security an extension would provide. This is still more money than some CEOs make in a lifetime. He may as well protect himself against injury.

What is Nikola Jokic's yearly salary? ›

In 2022, Jokić signed a five-year $276.1 million contract with the Nuggets. He earns an average annual salary of $55.2 million, according to Spotrac.

How much does Jalen Brunson's dad make? ›

breaking news jalen brunson's father rick brunson's annual salary has jumped 2700% and he's now making $20 million a year for the next 4 years!

How much does Steph Curry make a year? ›

What does Jalen Brunson have a degree in? ›

Brunson's major was communications, which he hopes will someday translate to a career in journalism or media.

Is Russell Brunson a billionaire? ›

Russell Brunson's net worth is speculated to be over $40 million. The primary contribution to his success with ClickFunnels. Additionally, his best-selling books generate approximately $1 million in annual sales. Over the past four years, his mentoring and coaching programs have brought in nearly $4 million.

What has Jalen Brunson done for the community? ›

For several years, Jalen Brunson has been supporting his alma mater, Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL. In addition to funding scholarships, he also provides resources to programs that are vital to the Stevenson community.

What does Jalen Brunson's wife do? ›

Soon after graduating, Marks began her career as a physical therapist at the W.B. Carrell Memorial Clinic in Dallas, Texas — where Brunson was playing at the time. Before becoming a licensed physical therapist, Marks worked as a rehabilitation aide at Athletico in Chicago, assisting other therapists and patients.

Where do Knicks players live? ›

The New York Knicks play in Madison Square Garden, but, because the team's practice facility is in Greenburgh, many of the players (plus Coach Mike Woodson) live in Westchester. Among them: Raymond Felton, Steve Novak, Ronnie Brewer, Marcus Camby, Rasheed Wallace, and Pablo Prigioni.

Did Jalen Brunson's father play in the NBA? ›

The 27-year-old's father — Rick Brunson — played nine seasons in the NBA and is currently a member of the Knicks coaching staff.

Why didn't Dallas keep Brunson? ›

After the trade deadline, Dallas came back and offered the deal, but by that time Brunson felt that he had “outgrown” that kind of money, and turned it down.

How much did Jalen Brunson average without Luka? ›

Jalen Brunson has averaged 24.2 points, 6.4 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 189 games without Luka Doncic in his career.

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