Draymond Green Believes Jalen Brunson Taking $113 Million Less Gave Knicks Leverage Over Teammates
Draymond Green thinks Jalen Brunson’s decision to leave $113 million on the table with the New York Knicks has created an unintended consequence, giving the franchise leverage to ask his teammates to sacrifice money as well.
Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, Green discussed the uncertain future of several key Knicks players, particularly Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart, as the Knicks attempt to manage an increasingly expensive roster without crossing the second apron.
“I’d be surprised if the Knicks brought two of these three guys back because it’s a reason they have not gotten extensions done. The Knicks are trying to make all of this stuff work within that second apron. They’re trying to make all of these things work as one while staying under the second apron.”
“While knowing, yes, we have to pay Karl-Anthony Towns, but shortly thereafter, Jalen Brunson, who took this huge discount, is going to be asking for the full boat. And if not the full boat, most of the boat.”
“And guess what? You’re the Knicks. You have to do it. So they’re looking at all of this, and they’re like, ah. And this goes back to my point months ago, when it was like, ‘Oh man, don’t be counting nobody’s pockets.’ I ain’t got to count nobody else’s pockets. What I do count is these situations in this NBA. I know this business.”
“And so when I speak, I speak from a place of experience. When I speak, I speak from a place of knowing. And so when I look at this situation, it all stems back to taking less.”
“That guy took less. You should take less. He took less. We need you to take less. And that’s what happens in these situations.”
Brunson famously signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension in 2024 rather than waiting until the following summer, when he could have been eligible for approximately $269 million over five years. That decision meant sacrificing $113 million in potential guaranteed money but provided the Knicks with additional financial flexibility.
The gamble worked from a financial perspective. Brunson eventually led the Knicks to a 2026 NBA championship and won Finals MVP, but Green thinks his sacrifice also set a standard that the Knicks can now use during negotiations with other players.
And Towns appears to be experiencing that situation firsthand. The six-time All-Star is making $57.5 million this season and also has a $61 million player option for 2027-28. He could reportedly receive an extension worth as much as four years, $276 million, but the Knicks have discussed deals beginning from $45 to $50 million annually. Towns is reportedly ready to accept a discount but views the amount that the Knicks are asking him to sacrifice as unreasonable.
Hart also faces a similar situation. He can eventually receive an extension worth up to four years, $132 million, but no agreement has been reached. Hart has already acknowledged that if the situation isn’t resolved by February, it could become a difficult conversation.
Green believes another factor is looming over everything, and that is Jalen Brunson’s contract. Brunson’s next deal is projected to be $290 million over four years, beginning in 2028-29, and after Brunson’s previous sacrifice, the team is not expecting him to do it again.
That leaves New York with difficult decisions. Towns helped deliver a title, averaging 20.1 points and 7.9 rebounds during the regular season, while Hart has become another crucial piece of the Knicks’ identity.
Green’s argument is that Brunson made the wrong decision. His point is that one superstar accepting significantly less can reshape negotiations throughout a team.
Brunson’s sacrifice helped the Knicks build a title-winning team, but now, according to Green, the Knicks can point directly to the franchise player when another teammate asks to be paid full market value.
