Knicks · Knicks core player extensions (page 1)

martin @ 7/31/2026 8:52 AM
KAT and Hart are up next.

Brunson started the trend. He started at about $10M less per to start off his previous extension. Mikal took $6M. What are Hart and KAT up to this year? KAT is extension eligible now, Hart can extend Aug 10.

Dolan set the second apron priority. It cost the Knicks Mitch. Mikal created $6M in room this past year and Brunson was at $10M under his extension max. This year 2026-27 Mikal's number is probably a smidge more and Jalen could be at $50M but really is $38M, so $12M. Mikal + Brunson = ~$20M in difference.


Shamet		$5.4M
Jose		$4.5M
Mo 		$2.6M
Clarkson 	$2.4M
Drummond 	$2.4M
-----------------------
 	 	~$17.5M

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2387/u...

Here’s what Jalen Brunson did sign for:

2025-26: $34,944,001
2026-27: $37,739,521
2027-28: $40,535,041
2028-29: $43,330,561 (Player Option)
Total: four years, $156,549,124

In Brunson’s case, he signed under the Veteran Extension rules. This allows for him to extend for 140% of his previous salary. To sign a four-year extension, Brunson declined his 2025-26 player option, so this extension is based off his current salary for 2024-25 of $24,960,001.

From there, Brunson can add four new years of salary with 8% raises off the first year. That’s how we get to figures above.

For now, we can assume that Brunson will opt out of his contract to become a free agent in 2028. That would allow him to sign for the 35% of the cap maximum, because he’ll have 10 Years of Service following the 2027-28 season. But more to come on that later!

Re-signing with New York in 2025

Here’s what Jalen Brunson could have signed for next summer:

2025-26: $46,394,000
2026-27: $50,105,628
2027-28: $53,817,156
2028-29: $57,528,684
2029-30: $61,240,212
Total: five years, $269,085,780

No idea what this guy is doing

Knixkik @ 7/31/2026 9:11 AM
It should be easy enough with KAT and Hart. Both can extend around where they are now and Knicks should be fine as long as there aren’t max increases each year. If KAT and Hart can account for a slightly lower percentage of the cap each year, it’s a good thing.
martin @ 7/31/2026 9:13 AM
Next Year

Denver:	Joker $60M, Jamal Murray $50M;  	$110m
GSW: 	Step $62.5M, Butler $57m;  	 	$119m
Knicks: KAT $57M, Jalen $38M (OG $42.5M)  	$95M ($99.5M swap in OG)

Deuce, Shamet, GTA, Clarkson, Kolek, Mo, Drummond: $27.5M

Benches matter in playoffs. Couple of other winners did not navigate the post championship route as well as the Knicks. We shall see how it plays out.

Knixkik @ 7/31/2026 9:14 AM
I’m also curious about Deuce. I still think he can remain a longterm figure on the team and be part of the core. He didn’t have a great playoff run but was injured and never fully recovered. Maybe it’s the time to get him on a lower extension. The numbers always look good when he’s on the floor. I hope he’s a keeper in addition to the starting 5.
Knixkik @ 7/31/2026 9:16 AM
martin wrote:Next Year

Denver:	Joker $60M, Jamal Murray $50M;  	$110m
GSW: 	Step $62.5M, Butler $57m;  	 	$119m
Knicks: KAT $57M, Jalen $38M (OG $42.5M)  	$95M ($99.5M swap in OG)

Deuce, Shamet, GTA, Clarkson, Kolek, Mo, Drummond: $27.5M

Benches matter in playoffs. Couple of other winners did not navigate the post championship route as well as the Knicks. We shall see how it plays out.

Knicks bench is so important. They have such a nice cheap group locked in. We can’t get into the same problems that Denver and Minnesota have.

martin @ 7/31/2026 9:26 AM
Knixkik wrote:
martin wrote:Next Year

Denver:	Joker $60M, Jamal Murray $50M;  	$110m
GSW: 	Step $62.5M, Butler $57m;  	 	$119m
Knicks: KAT $57M, Jalen $38M (OG $42.5M)  	$95M ($99.5M swap in OG)

Deuce, Shamet, GTA, Clarkson, Kolek, Mo, Drummond: $27.5M

Benches matter in playoffs. Couple of other winners did not navigate the post championship route as well as the Knicks. We shall see how it plays out.

Knicks bench is so important. They have such a nice cheap group locked in. We can’t get into the same problems that Denver and Minnesota have.

Knicks need to figure out/find their own Diabate, to keep Deuce and remain super solid for another 3+ years. That's all that remains, give or take, a backup C who can grow into that role and more.

martin @ 7/31/2026 9:30 AM
Knixkik wrote:I’m also curious about Deuce. I still think he can remain a longterm figure on the team and be part of the core. He didn’t have a great playoff run but was injured and never fully recovered. Maybe it’s the time to get him on a lower extension. The numbers always look good when he’s on the floor. I hope he’s a keeper in addition to the starting 5.

Ha yeah, I don't know why I didn't include him too for extension. Oversight!

Knixkik @ 7/31/2026 9:33 AM
martin wrote:
Knixkik wrote:I’m also curious about Deuce. I still think he can remain a longterm figure on the team and be part of the core. He didn’t have a great playoff run but was injured and never fully recovered. Maybe it’s the time to get him on a lower extension. The numbers always look good when he’s on the floor. I hope he’s a keeper in addition to the starting 5.

Ha yeah, I don't know why I didn't include him too for extension. Oversight!

Well he’s not a starter or established core player at this point. He’s firmly on the bubble, so it makes sense.

martin @ 7/31/2026 9:36 AM
Knixkik wrote:
martin wrote:
Knixkik wrote:I’m also curious about Deuce. I still think he can remain a longterm figure on the team and be part of the core. He didn’t have a great playoff run but was injured and never fully recovered. Maybe it’s the time to get him on a lower extension. The numbers always look good when he’s on the floor. I hope he’s a keeper in addition to the starting 5.

Ha yeah, I don't know why I didn't include him too for extension. Oversight!

Well he’s not a starter or established core player at this point. He’s firmly on the bubble, so it makes sense.

If we can say the Knicks core 5 are 1A, then 1B for the Knicks last year was Mitch, Deuce, Shamet. 1C for GTA, Clarkson. Fair?

Knixkik @ 7/31/2026 1:29 PM
martin wrote:
Knixkik wrote:
martin wrote:
Knixkik wrote:I’m also curious about Deuce. I still think he can remain a longterm figure on the team and be part of the core. He didn’t have a great playoff run but was injured and never fully recovered. Maybe it’s the time to get him on a lower extension. The numbers always look good when he’s on the floor. I hope he’s a keeper in addition to the starting 5.

Ha yeah, I don't know why I didn't include him too for extension. Oversight!

Well he’s not a starter or established core player at this point. He’s firmly on the bubble, so it makes sense.

If we can say the Knicks core 5 are 1A, then 1B for the Knicks last year was Mitch, Deuce, Shamet. 1C for GTA, Clarkson. Fair?

Yes I think that’s fair. So I do think Deuce and Shamet are the 1B guys for sure right now. Everything else is up in the air/ interchangeable from year to year. Mo D is the wildcard.

Knixkik @ 7/31/2026 1:35 PM
I will also say I am pretty firmly against trading Deuce. I am sure his extension won’t break the bank and he is such a valuable 2-way player. Elite shooter and point of attack defender. These are skills very few players possess both of. I really don’t see how trading deuce for Diabate or Missi for example makes us better. More balanced, sure, but not better. I’d rather just try to find a center that hasn’t been established yet and hope to develop. Guys like Karlo Matkovic and Dylan Cardwell are the types that come to mind. We have beaten the center thing to death lately but my point of emphasis is wanting to keep deuce.
martin @ 7/31/2026 5:32 PM
ToddTT @ 7/31/2026 6:08 PM
Did JB start the trend? I feel like there was somebody before him… I can’t seem to recall.

Although JB obviously took it to another level.

martin wrote:KAT and Hart are up next.

Brunson started the trend. He started at about $10M less per to start off his previous extension. Mikal took $6M. What are Hart and KAT up to this year? KAT is extension eligible now, Hart can extend Aug 10.

Dolan set the second apron priority. It cost the Knicks Mitch. Mikal created $6M in room this past year and Brunson was at $10M under his extension max. This year 2026-27 Mikal's number is probably a smidge more and Jalen could be at $50M but really is $38M, so $12M. Mikal + Brunson = ~$20M in difference.


Shamet		$5.4M
Jose		$4.5M
Mo 		$2.6M
Clarkson 	$2.4M
Drummond 	$2.4M
-----------------------
 	 	~$17.5M

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2387/u...

Here’s what Jalen Brunson did sign for:

2025-26: $34,944,001
2026-27: $37,739,521
2027-28: $40,535,041
2028-29: $43,330,561 (Player Option)
Total: four years, $156,549,124

In Brunson’s case, he signed under the Veteran Extension rules. This allows for him to extend for 140% of his previous salary. To sign a four-year extension, Brunson declined his 2025-26 player option, so this extension is based off his current salary for 2024-25 of $24,960,001.

From there, Brunson can add four new years of salary with 8% raises off the first year. That’s how we get to figures above.

For now, we can assume that Brunson will opt out of his contract to become a free agent in 2028. That would allow him to sign for the 35% of the cap maximum, because he’ll have 10 Years of Service following the 2027-28 season. But more to come on that later!

Re-signing with New York in 2025

Here’s what Jalen Brunson could have signed for next summer:

2025-26: $46,394,000
2026-27: $50,105,628
2027-28: $53,817,156
2028-29: $57,528,684
2029-30: $61,240,212
Total: five years, $269,085,780

No idea what this guy is doing

BlueKnickers @ 7/31/2026 8:22 PM
I don't see any posts about Mike Sweetney's Core Exercises
Knixkik @ 7/31/2026 9:07 PM
ToddTT wrote:Did JB start the trend? I feel like there was somebody before him… I can’t seem to recall.

Although JB obviously took it to another level.

martin wrote:KAT and Hart are up next.

Brunson started the trend. He started at about $10M less per to start off his previous extension. Mikal took $6M. What are Hart and KAT up to this year? KAT is extension eligible now, Hart can extend Aug 10.

Dolan set the second apron priority. It cost the Knicks Mitch. Mikal created $6M in room this past year and Brunson was at $10M under his extension max. This year 2026-27 Mikal's number is probably a smidge more and Jalen could be at $50M but really is $38M, so $12M. Mikal + Brunson = ~$20M in difference.


Shamet		$5.4M
Jose		$4.5M
Mo 		$2.6M
Clarkson 	$2.4M
Drummond 	$2.4M
-----------------------
 	 	~$17.5M

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2387/u...

Here’s what Jalen Brunson did sign for:

2025-26: $34,944,001
2026-27: $37,739,521
2027-28: $40,535,041
2028-29: $43,330,561 (Player Option)
Total: four years, $156,549,124

In Brunson’s case, he signed under the Veteran Extension rules. This allows for him to extend for 140% of his previous salary. To sign a four-year extension, Brunson declined his 2025-26 player option, so this extension is based off his current salary for 2024-25 of $24,960,001.

From there, Brunson can add four new years of salary with 8% raises off the first year. That’s how we get to figures above.

For now, we can assume that Brunson will opt out of his contract to become a free agent in 2028. That would allow him to sign for the 35% of the cap maximum, because he’ll have 10 Years of Service following the 2027-28 season. But more to come on that later!

Re-signing with New York in 2025

Here’s what Jalen Brunson could have signed for next summer:

2025-26: $46,394,000
2026-27: $50,105,628
2027-28: $53,817,156
2028-29: $57,528,684
2029-30: $61,240,212
Total: five years, $269,085,780

No idea what this guy is doing

Brunson definitely started it for this new CBA era. Knicks and JB determined exactly how to build a championship roster in today’s game from a financial standpoint.

martin @ 8/1/2026 10:21 AM
Philc1 @ 8/1/2026 11:00 AM
Like Bill Walton once said about the Knicks: “extensions for everyone!”
BlueKnickers @ 8/1/2026 8:18 PM
martin wrote:

Money and the stats that got him paid were always Melo's highest priorities.

Knixkik @ 8/1/2026 11:10 PM
BlueKnickers wrote:
martin wrote:

Money and the stats that got him paid were always Melo's highest priorities.

Yeah it was what held Melo back from being a next-level superstar. I remember Melo took less money for Phil Jackson in exchange for the no trade clause, and it was such a small discount, it was pretty pointless to even call it a discount.

Nalod @ 8/2/2026 1:38 PM
Jalen gave up 37mm and he makes it up on his next contract.
Melo was bound for HOF and Jalen's ticket gets validated. JB did take a (injury) risk.
Leon's talent as an agent is to understand his clients beyond just getting the biggest contract. WWW also had a talent for personalizing the process and together they build a hell of an agency and again, a hell of knick culture that WON A CHIP!

I can't speak for Jalen and whats in his head nor for Melo. Melo never got a chip but a fantastic and profitable career that by most definisions is a massive success! Fans have a different agenda as we sometimes resent the money these guys make. We expect them to play for us? Yeah, thats part of it. Not all of it.

How this teams ages and handles its relevancy in this era will be interesting. This CBA/era presents unique challanges and thus opportunities. We both profited from other teams having to disperse its talent (mainly Boston) and injuries (JDub in OKC and Hali in indy).

Make no bones about it, the window was open and the Knicks executed it! Shaq said KNicks were lucky to win and he gets pushback from it. Hes not wrong: "luck is when opportunity and preperation collide"! Im ok with it. Every year it happens. Players get injured and teams decline because of it. Likewise some teams have chemistry that clicks at the right time. Some teams win wire to wire . 9 years since a repeat team.
Hope the streak breaks and knicks can win another, if not, we can deal with it.

I hope Leon stays a while. It has not always been absolute but he has for sure EARNED the benefit of doubt!

ToddTT @ 8/2/2026 4:34 PM
Coming off of his MIP season. Because he was/is a good guy.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/3196...

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