One ex-Knick believes Jalen Brunson’s contract sacrifices have “messed up” the NBA.
Ten-year NBA veteran Dennis Scott — who made a pit stop in New York for 15 games during the 1998-99 season — praised Brunson for his selflessness in leaving potentially over $100 million on the table in the wake of his $156.5 million extension but warned of the consequences.
“I bumped into my good friend Rick Brunson last night, I said, ‘I’m happy for you and Jalen, you raised a heck of a son, but you know you messed up the game now. You messed up the game,’” Scott said during the Pelicans’ Summer League game Tuesday. “I love it, though. I’m being very transparent. I love the fact you want to win and you living up to it. I think it’s great.
“But now, [Pelicans forward] Brandon Ingram is in the same situation. I want to win. But are you willing to take less to win? Or do you want all that’s deserving to you because of the situation and timing?”
Brunson veered from the usual route when he signed a four-year, $156.6 million extension this month, foregoing the $113 million more he could have earned next summer, and saving the Knicks valuable cap space that will allow them to build a deeper roster around Brunson.
The former Villanova star is costing himself $37.1 million over the next three years, even with looming extensions helping offset the $113 million.
Scott, who played alongside Brunson’s dad Rick during his short stint in New York, framed Brunson’s actions around Ingram’s looming free agency after the upcoming season.
The implication seemed to be that players may be judged now by whether they save money like Brunson and front offices could now pressure players to be more like Brunson to help their teams.
Brunson is hoping his decision will put the Knicks in a better position to contend annually, but not every player is going to put the team first when they have a chance to cash in.
“That is the conversation around our world now,” Scott said. “Jalen Brunson did something different. He’s different.”
He added: “You understand if you want your money, nobody’s mad at you. But don’t get made when your team’s not that deep and you cannot make your roster deep enough, don’t get mad at that either.”