One former Knicks player believes Jalen Brunson’s contractual sacrifices “messed up” the NBA.
Dennis Scott, a 10-year NBA veteran who made a 15-game pit stop with New York during the 1998-99 season, praised Brunson’s selflessness in giving up more than $100 million following a $156.5 million contract extension but warned of the consequences.
“I ran into my good friend Rick Brunson last night and he said, ‘I wish you and Jalen all the best. You guys raised a great son, but you ruined the game. You ruined the game.’ Scott said during the Pelicans’ summer league game on Tuesday.“But I love it. I’m very transparent. I love that you want to win and you live for it. I think that’s great.”
“But now, [Pelicans forward] Brandon Ingram is in the same situation. You want to win, but are you willing to make the sacrifices to win? Or are you willing to take whatever you deserve, depending on the situation and the timing?”
Brunson deviated from normal course this month by signing a four-year, $156.6 million extension, giving up $113 million he could have earned next summer and freeing the Knicks up valuable cap space to build a deep roster around him.
The former Villanova University star is on track to spend $37.1 million over the next three years, with $113 million offset by a looming contract extension.
Scott, who played alongside Brunson’s father, Rick, during his brief tenure in New York, said Brunson’s actions were linked to Ingram’s looming free agency after next season.
The implication seems to be that players will now be judged on whether they save money like Brunson, and front offices will be able to pressure players to be more like Brunson in order to help their teams.
Brunson hopes his decision puts the Knicks in a better position to compete for a championship every year, but not every player puts the team first when they have the opportunity to reap the benefits.
“That’s the story that’s being told around the world right now,” Scott said. “Jalen Brunson did something different. He’s different.”
He added: “I understand that if you want money, nobody gets mad. But you can’t get mad when you don’t have depth in your squad and you can’t have depth in your players.”
