Jalen Brunson’s $113 Million Pay-Cut Winning NBA Title Makes it Tough for Other Supermax-Eligible Superstars

Jalen Brunson took a massive pay cut to help the Knicks bring the players he wanted around him for a title push.

Jalen Brunson’s $113 Million Pay-Cut Winning NBA Title Makes it Tough for Other Supermax-Eligible Superstars

Jalen Brunson with his Finals MVP, and the Larry O'Brien trophy (Image via FirstSportz)

Jalen Brunson leading his New York Knicks to the 2026 NBA title was the culmination of the ‘process’ the franchise undertook when they first signed him as a free agent.

That process involved getting his Villanova Wildcat teammates and some complementary pieces who could play alongside them.

As time passed, not every NCAA championship-winning player made sense, and neither did Julius Randle. The forward is a good player, but is generally not considered aggressive enough to fight when the spotlight is at its brightest.

That led to a trade for Karl-Anthony Towns, and along with Randle went Donte DiVincenzo. That move drew questions. The latter was seen as a two-way star who could impact games. No wonder DiVincenzo was irked about the decision and had a verbal altercation with Rick Brunson, thinking the father-and-son duo may have had something to do with it.

To facilitate the move for KAT and pay his new teammates the money they deserved, the Knicks point guard took a $113 million pay cut. Now, since that sacrifice has culminated in a championship win, the decision could impact other superstars around the league.

I’ve talked to a couple of different players that could be Supermax this year or next year. They’re starting to feel a little pressure from team owners by saying, ‘Yo, Jalen Brunson left $113 million on the table. What are you going to do?’

Jay Williams said

His Get Up colleagues agreed that this would force teams to have lengthy conversations with their star players. Jalen Brunson has proven that the sacrifice was well worth it.

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Jalen Brunson’s 4th quarter takeover reminds Hall of Famer of Kobe Bryant

Jalen Brunson dispelled all the criticisms and predefined notions about him when he powered the Knicks to their first NBA championship in more than five decades.

The way he took over in the fourth quarter led to the San Antonio Spurs crumbling. That performance, at least to two Hall of Famers, reminded them of a certain Mamba.

You got to look at Kobe. Because for three quarters, it was feed Shaq, get Shaq involved, and then the fourth quarter, you know, it’s Kobe time… He’s going to deliver, and you know the ball is going to Jalen Brunson. He’s going to serve you. He’s going to deliver.

Tracy McGrady said

As he took Kobe Bryant‘s name, his Cousins co-host and actual cousin, Vince Carter, agreed. Brunson’s fourth-quarter dominance was similar to what the late Lakers great did, even with Shaquille O’Neal beside him.

The 29-year-old’s ability to thrive despite everything the Spurs threw at him was exactly what Bryant did when he and O’Neal powered the Lakers to three straight NBA championships.

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Kendrick Perkins believes Jalen Brunson’s performance is great for America

There is going to be a lot of discussion on how Jalen Brunson and the Knicks winning the championship is going to impact basketball and sports in general.

American Jalen Brunson won against European Victor Wembanyama
American Jalen Brunson won against European Victor Wembanyama (Image via LakeYoShow/X)

This was the most powerful championship over the last 10 years, in sports… What the Knicks and big-body Brunson done was a statement for America. To give us some type of victory… to bring it back to American soil… I think it’s just a beautiful time for American basketball.

Kendrick Perkins said on First Take

This was the former champion, highlighting how the conversations surrounding the league for the past few years have been about international players taking over and lapping up every accolade.

Now that the Knicks have won, Perkins believes it is a victory for America, as the team, and the reigning Finals MVP in particular, have re-established homegrown as the kings of the mountain. That will impact teams and their decisions moving forward.

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