Carmelo Anthony gets honest about how Jalen Brunson's pay cut set a bad precedent image
Jalen Brunson opted to take less money when he signed a four-year extension in 2024 worth around $156.5 million with the New York Knicks. That was the foundation of the Knicks' success because they made some big moves to supplement the roster with good players around Brunson.
Names like OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns were acquired to help the Knicks, and they managed to contribute to their magical run in the 2026 Playoffs. It led to them winning their first championship in over 50 years, but the contract might have a lasting impact not only on the Knicks but on the rest of the NBA as well.
Carmelo Anthony drops a hot take about the ripple effects of Jalen Brunson's pay cut
When Brunson sacrificed for the team, it seems that the Knicks might have thought that other players would do the same. It is an interesting predicament for the Knicks because they want to retain the championship core that won, but it might prove to be too expensive.
That has been with the recent stalled talks between Towns, Josh Hart, and the Knicks. They would love to bring them back, but they cannot agree to a number that would make sense for both parties. Now, the Knicks have decided to stop the talks until midway into the season, which does not give much confidence that they can find a valid solution.
MORE:The Knicks' NBA preseason has given people the evidence to call James Dolan being a villain
Former Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony believes that Towns and Hart deserve as much money as they want. However, it seems that the Brunson pay cut has had a ripple effect beyond the championship, as the Knicks and other front offices are expecting their players to sign on smaller deals just to help the team's flexibility.
"That office that is crunching these numbers because he's the best in the business, they say this is the best we can do to stay out of that apron. That's what it was, and they offered it to KAT, and KAT probably said hell no... He (Brunson) set a precedent where now that precedent is being asked of the next person, and it’s two different situations," Melo said on his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast.
It is certainly an interesting situation to think about because the rest of the league might also ask for pay cuts from their star players. The San Antonio Spurs already did it with Victor Wembanyama in the 2026 offseason, and it could happen again with the rest of the league.
More NBA news:
Karl-Anthony Towns admits he is disappointed with the Knicks after the contract extension talks stalled