The New York Knicks made three major offseason moves in 2024 when they traded for Mikal Bridges, signed Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $156.5 million extension, and then traded for Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks weren’t necessarily thinking they would be in the Eastern Conference Finals in Year 1 after completing those moves since they lacked depth around their starting five. But the Knicks did think that Brunson signing at an annual average of $39.1 million as opposed to $53.8 million had he waited for the upcoming offseason, would allow their core to have an extended window.
While the pick outlay the Knicks gave up to acquire Bridges has been criticized in relation to his production this past season, it did lead to Brunson signing an extension last offseason.
“Jalen Brunson taking that contract that he took is going to be the gift that keeps on giving for the Knicks,” said Brian Windhorst on the Dan Patrick Show. “The Knicks are here ahead of schedule. The Knicks’ strategy was to get some players in their twenties that they thought were together and then take advantage of Brunson’s willingness to alter his contract and then build this team out over the next three or four years.
“They were really looking at the beginning of a window where they were going to outmanage other teams in the salary structure because of what Brunson was willing to do. People attack that Bridges trade and that’s fine. You can attack the Bridges trade. You can put up a beautiful PowerPoint presentation about the Bridges trade. It happened in conjunction with Brunson signing the deal where he took $100 million less. That’s the only way to look at it.”
The Boston Celtics, who were eliminated by the Knicks in the second round, are facing significant roster decisions this offseason as they have both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on supermax contracts.