Kevin Durant praised Jalen Brunson’s sacrifice but admitted his advisers probably would have stopped him from making the same decision.
Jalen Brunson’s willingness to sacrifice more than $100 million helped the New York Knicks construct a championship roster, but Kevin Durant is unsure whether he would have accepted the same financial risk.
Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension in 2024 rather than waiting until the following offseason, when he could have become eligible for a projected five-year, $269 million contract.
During an appearance on Boardroom, Durant admitted that his representatives likely would have talked him out of following Brunson’s path.
“I don’t think I would be advised to do that,” Durant said. “I probably would have been like, ‘All right, I’m cool with it.’ And then I would have sat down and talked to all my people like I usually do, Rich, all my friends, and I’d be like, ‘Why? Are you serious? Why do you need to take that risk when these dudes are billionaires?’”
Durant Understands Brunson’s Decision
Durant was not criticizing Brunson for prioritizing the Knicks’ ability to build a championship team. He instead highlighted the unequal risk involved when a player voluntarily accepts less than his market value.
NBA franchises can trade players, replace executives or change organizational plans without warning. A serious injury can also prevent a player from recovering the guaranteed money he previously surrendered.
Brunson trusted the Knicks to use the flexibility created by his contract wisely. In his case, that gamble paid off.
New York built a talented roster around Brunson that included OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks eventually won their first NBA championship in 53 years, validating Brunson’s belief that his financial sacrifice could help produce a title.
“But I understand his thought process and why he actually executed that,” Durant said. “For him to make that decision and it come out the way it did, kudos to him, but hopefully he gets that back at the back end.”
Knicks Must Eventually Reward Brunson
Durant’s comments carry additional weight because he has also accepted less than his maximum value. He signed a two-year, $90 million extension with the Houston Rockets that was approximately $30 million below the maximum amount available to him.
Brunson’s situation involved a larger potential difference. The commonly cited $113 million figure compares his four-year extension to the total value of the five-year contract he could have signed by waiting.
Nov 22, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; New YorkKnicksguard JalenBrunson(11) and guard JoshHart(3) react after a play against the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesBrunson protected himself by including a player option for the final season. That structure could allow him to return to the negotiating table and pursue another lucrative contract while still performing at an elite level.
The Knicks now have a responsibility to remember what their captain sacrificed. Brunson did not simply accept less money to help ownership. He created financial flexibility that helped the front office construct a championship-caliber roster.
Durant’s position is understandable. Players have limited earning windows and should not be expected to protect billionaire owners from expensive roster decisions.
Brunson made an uncommon wager on the Knicks and helped deliver a championship. New York must eventually prove that his loyalty will be rewarded with more than praise and a banner.
