Analyst Names Knicks Best Offseason Move

The New York Knicks had a dynamic offseason. What was their best move?

Jeremy Brener | Aug 28, 2024

Apr 4, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks solidified their present and future this offseason by trading for Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets and signing Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby to long-term extensions.

While all of these moves are important for New York's future, Bleacher Report writer Dan Favale believes inking Brunson to a bargain of a deal is the best offseason move from the Knicks this summer.

"The Brunson extension is more meaningful because it'll keep the New York Knicks leaner as their core gets more expensive. He signed a four-year, $156.5 million deal one summer before becoming eligible to land a five-season, $269.1 million contract New York absolutely would have given him. That is absurd," Favale writes. "Framing this as a three-year discount ahead of a 2028-29 player option doesn't change anything. Brunson is effectively saving the Knicks one Donte DiVincenzo salary per year during this span—additional wiggle room that should allow New York to duck the second apron in each of the next two seasons without having to break up part of its core."

Brunson's contract gives the Knicks flexibility to make adjustments and improvements to the roster down the line, even more than they have already done so far.

The Knicks believe the team that they have currently constructed is capable of making it all the way to the NBA Finals and bringing home a title. However, in the case that they aren't ready this year, they have the means to make some moves next summer to stay in contention and keep the team together.

By signing Brunson to the contract they did, they killed two birds with one stone. They got their franchise player locked in for the rest of the decade and they ensured that they will be in the contender conversation throughout Brunson's entire tenure in New York.

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Published Aug 28, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.