Jalen Brunson’s projected $290 million Knicks contract is not an announced agreement. A standard extension of his current deal beginning in 2028-29 calculates to approximately $254 million over four years. Waiting to sign a new contract in free agency would give him access to a different salary limit.
The larger number comes from an October 3 Fadeaway World article quoting The Athletic’s Fred Katz, who projected a four-year, $290 million contract beginning in 2028-29. The quoted passage does not explain the contract structure or salary-cap assumptions behind that projection. Fadeaway World’s report
What Brunson already has under contract
Brunson’s existing deal pays him $37,739,521 in 2026-27 and $40,535,041 in 2027-28. He then controls a $43,330,561 player option for 2028-29—a choice to remain under that contract for another season. SalarySwish’s contract breakdown
He could decline that option as part of an extension, or play through 2027-28 and decline it to become a free agent. The collective bargaining agreement permits an option decision and extension to happen together. An extension starting in 2028-29 would replace the $43.3 million option salary. NBA–NBPA agreement, Article VII, Section 7
Why the standard extension is about $254 million
ESPN has separately identified a four-year, $254 million extension opportunity for Brunson in 2027. ESPN’s offseason contract reporting
The calculation follows the ordinary veteran-extension rules. The starting salary can reach 140% of the greater of the player’s final existing salary or the league’s estimated average salary, subject to the individual maximum. Subsequent annual raises can equal 8% of the extension’s first-year salary. NBA’s CBA guide
Using Brunson’s existing salary as the controlling amount, declining the option leaves his $40,535,041 salary in 2027-28 as the base:
- First new season: $40,535,041 × 140% = approximately $56.75 million.
- Annual raise: 8% of $56.75 million = approximately $4.54 million.
- Four-year total: approximately $56.75 million + $61.29 million + $65.83 million + $70.37 million = $254.24 million.
This illustration uses his contract as listed on October 4, 2026, maximum permitted raises and no prior salary renegotiation. It is a calculation of the standard extension route, not a reported offer. A rising salary cap alone does not lift its starting salary above the applicable 140% limit.
What waiting until free agency changes
By summer 2028, Brunson would have completed 10 NBA seasons. That would make him eligible for a starting salary of 35% of the salary cap on a new free-agent contract. Spotrac identified this opportunity when examining his 2024 extension. Spotrac’s contract analysis
A free-agent contract therefore could exceed the standard extension calculation. Its ceiling would depend on the salary cap when he signs, while its actual value would depend on the years, raises and salary negotiated. The Knicks could use his Bird rights—the exception allowing teams to retain qualifying longtime players—to re-sign him above the cap. NBA’s CBA guide
Waiting makes a larger future contract possible, but it does not establish $290 million as either a guaranteed payday or the precise maximum. An earlier extension could secure substantial future earnings. Waiting would preserve greater earning potential while leaving the negotiation dependent on another season of health and performance.
Fan reactions
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2 comments from readers.
The Knicks still need to build a lineup that doesn't ask Brunson to solve every stalled possession. Getting him on the cheaper extension path would help, but savings don't bring the ball up or create a decent shot when he's on the bench. That's the part I'd want sorted before celebrating another discount.
“Another discount” is getting ahead of it. The $254 million route buys him security earlier; waiting buys him a chance at more. Neither is an offer yet, much less money the Knicks have saved.