**BREAKING NEWS: Jalen Brunson Agrees to Contract Extension with New York Knicks Until 2029, Vows to Become a Franchise Legend**
*“This is where I belong. The Garden. The city. The energy. I’m not leaving. I’m building a legacy.” – Jalen Brunson*
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**New York, NY** – In one of the most celebrated contract extensions in recent New York Knicks history, star point guard **Jalen Brunson** has officially signed a new deal that will keep him in **Madison Square Garden until the end of the 2028–2029 NBA season**. The news comes amid surging hopes and expectations in New York, where the Knicks have returned to national relevance thanks in no small part to Brunson’s leadership, grit, and poise on the court.
The announcement, made jointly by the Knicks front office and Brunson himself, comes as the city prepares for another highly anticipated season. The message from Brunson is clear: **he’s here to stay, and he’s here to win**.
> “This is more than a contract,” Brunson said during the press conference at Madison Square Garden. “This is my promise to New York. We’re building something real here. Something special. I want to see it through — all the way.”
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### The Extension: Securing the Knicks’ Heart and Soul
Brunson’s contract extension is reportedly worth **\$156 million over four years**, kicking in after the expiration of his original deal in 2025. The new contract carries him through the 2028–2029 season and includes:
* Performance bonuses based on playoff performance and All-NBA selections
* Community and leadership incentives tied to team success and off-court impact
* A full no-trade clause — signaling a mutual, unwavering commitment between Brunson and the Knicks
Sources say both sides pushed for the deal to be completed before the start of the new season, viewing Brunson’s presence as “non-negotiable” for the team’s future.
> “Jalen isn’t just our point guard,” said Knicks President **Leon Rose**. “He’s our tone-setter, our standard, and our culture. This contract isn’t about keeping a star — it’s about keeping our identity.”
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### A Career Year That Changed Everything
Brunson’s new deal comes on the heels of a historic 2023–2024 season in which he averaged:
* **28.4 points per game**
* **6.7 assists per game**
* **4.0 rebounds**
* Shooting nearly **48% from the field** and **41% from three-point range**
He led the Knicks to a **50+ win season** and a thrilling run to the **Eastern Conference Finals**, igniting a city starved for basketball success. Brunson’s playoff performances became the stuff of legend, including back-to-back 40+ point games and clutch heroics that sent Madison Square Garden into a frenzy.
> “Jalen Brunson brought back the Garden magic,” said ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. “He reminded us what Knicks basketball *used* to feel like. And now, he’s shaping what it’s going to feel like for the next generation.”
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### The Garden Belongs to Brunson
When Brunson first signed with the Knicks in 2022, there were skeptics. Critics questioned whether he was worth the price or ready to lead a franchise. Two years later, those doubts have vanished. Brunson hasn’t just become the Knicks’ best player — he’s become their **emotional heartbeat**.
> “When I walk into the Garden, I feel the ghosts of greatness,” Brunson said. “Walt Frazier. Patrick Ewing. John Starks. They built the foundation. Now it’s my turn to carry it forward.”
Brunson’s leadership has transformed the Knicks locker room into one of the league’s most unified and focused groups. His work ethic is unmatched, often arriving for 6 AM workouts and staying late to study film. Younger players like **Quentin Grimes**, **Miles McBride**, and **RJ Barrett** have publicly credited Brunson for mentoring them — not just as athletes, but as professionals.
> “Jalen sets the tone every single day,” said Knicks Head Coach **Tom Thibodeau**. “He doesn’t just talk about winning — he lives it. He’s exactly the kind of player we want representing New York.”
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### A Statement to the League: The Knicks Are for Real
For decades, the Knicks have struggled to retain elite talent, often watching stars walk away in free agency or demand trades. Brunson’s extension signals a dramatic shift in that narrative. In an era where player movement is constant, Brunson’s decision to stay long-term makes a powerful statement.
> “I’m not looking for the next big market,” he said. “This *is* the big market. I’m not chasing someone else’s legacy. I’m making mine, right here.”
The Knicks front office, led by Rose and Executive VP William Wesley, views Brunson as the cornerstone of their championship vision — a player who can attract more talent, foster homegrown growth, and represent the team on the national stage.
With **Julius Randle** still under contract and the Knicks pursuing complementary stars through trade and free agency, the extension gives the franchise clarity and confidence to build around a proven leader.
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### Family, Faith, and Foundations
Brunson’s journey to NBA stardom is one of character, perseverance, and family support. His father, **Rick Brunson**, a former NBA player and current Knicks assistant coach, has been by his side every step of the way — from driveway shooting drills to late-night phone calls after losses.
> “My dad taught me everything — not just how to hoop, but how to carry myself like a man,” Jalen said. “And now we get to do this together, for the Knicks. That’s something I’ll never take for granted.”
Off the court, Brunson is deeply rooted in philanthropy and education. Through the **Jalen Brunson Foundation**, he funds youth basketball programs, mental health initiatives, and scholarship opportunities in New York and his hometown of Lincolnshire, Illinois.
His fiancée, **Ali Marks**, also plays a key role in his community outreach. The couple recently launched **“Books and Buckets,”** a literacy and basketball program for underserved NYC schools.
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### Fan Reaction: “Our Captain, Our Future”
Knicks fans wasted no time celebrating the announcement. Murals of Brunson went up overnight in Harlem and Brooklyn. Fans swarmed the MSG Team Store to buy No. 11 jerseys. And social media lit up with tributes under hashtags like **#BrunsonForever** and **#KnicksCaptain**.
> “I’ve been a Knicks fan for 30 years,” one fan wrote on X. “I haven’t believed in a player like this since Ewing. Thank you, Jalen.”
> “He didn’t just sign a contract. He signed a covenant with New York,” said another.
Even celebrities chimed in:
* **Spike Lee**: “Jalen Brunson is what New York basketball is all about. Respect. Loyalty. Bravery.”
* **Fat Joe**: “We back, baby. Jalen got the keys to the city.”
* **John Starks**: “This kid plays with that ’90s grit. I love what he’s doing. He’s already a Knick legend in my book.”
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### Looking Ahead: The Banner Dream
With the ink still fresh on his new deal, Brunson is already setting his sights on the ultimate goal: bringing a championship banner back to Madison Square Garden.
> “That’s the dream — that’s the mission,” Brunson said. “It won’t be easy. But if there’s one thing I know about New York, it’s that we don’t run from the hard path. We take it head-on.”
Coach Thibodeau emphasized that the franchise has “never been more aligned,” and confirmed that offseason plans are focused on surrounding Brunson with elite defenders and consistent shooting to make a true run at the NBA Finals.
> “Jalen’s locked in,” Thibodeau said. “And now so are we.”
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### Final Words: A Legacy in the Making
In a city that demands greatness, **Jalen Brunson has risen to the challenge**. His game speaks for itself — but his heart, humility, and determination have made him more than a star. They’ve made him a symbol of hope.
> “I’m not chasing headlines,” he said. “I’m chasing history. I want my number in the rafters. I want that banner. I want generations of Knicks fans to say, ‘That was our guy. He gave us everything.’”
And now, with his name etched in the Knicks’ long-term future, Jalen Brunson begins the next chapter of his journey — not as a question mark or a surprise signing, but as **the undisputed leader of a franchise ready to reclaim its place at the top of the basketball world**.
**New York, your captain has spoken. And he’s here to stay.**
*From the Bronx to Broadway, the Brunson Era is just getting started.*
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