In a recent podcast with teammate Josh Hart, Jelen Brunson revealed the real reason he took a pay cut in New York next year, and Knicks fans are going to love his answer.
Why did Jelen Brunson take a pay cut?
Jelen Brunson accepted a four-year, $156.5 million extension earlier this summer, a deal that has drawn attention as the Knicks star will make $113 million less than his previous offer.
There is widespread belief that Brunson took a pay cut to match the salaries of other New York players, and the 27-year-old confirmed this week that that was one of the reasons.
“It’s pretty simple. I want to be here. I want to show that actions speak louder than words. I want this team to be together for a long time. I want to win here. That’s it.”
The story behind Jalen Brunson’s extension:
“It’s pretty simple. I want to be here. I want to show that actions speak louder than words. I want this team to be together for a long time. I want to win here. That’s it.”
(through @Roommate__View) pic.twitter.com/7cQCq7qzyD
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) August 15, 2024
The Knicks were able to acquire Brunson’s former Villanova teammate in the offseason thanks to Brunson’s pay cut, and Mikal Bridges joined them after being traded from the Nets.
New York will be hoping Bridges can help the team take another step forward this season after the Knicks were eliminated in Game 7 of the conference semifinals by the Indiana Pacers.
Brunson was named the Knicks’ new team captain this summer, becoming the first player to hold the role since Lance Thomas (2018-19).
Josh Hart speaks to Noah Lyles
Brunson’s close friend and teammate Josh Hart also hosts the “Roommate Show” podcast, where he discussed the controversy surrounding American sprinter Noah Lyles this summer.
The Olympian made headlines last year for his comments about the NBA, saying the winner shouldn’t be called a “world champion” because the United States isn’t the whole world.
Josh Hart tweeted about Lyles throughout the Olympics, but admitted he was impressed by his compatriot after his impressive Summer Olympics in Paris.
Lol he’s an Olympic gold medalist. I could say that my whole life 😂 https://t.co/f18joDmXRj
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) August 4, 2024
“Going into the Olympics, I was patriotic and wanted the U.S. team to win the gold medal, but I actually wanted him (Noah Lyles) to lose.
“I think it was the first time NBA Twitter got together,” Hart continued. “I was just hating on him, but after he won the 100m, I was like, ‘F*ck, I respect him, I can’t hate him anymore.'”
Lyles won gold in the 100m and bronze in the 200m. The sprinter was diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after losing in his preferred second event.
