That may seem like a lot of money, but it is US$113 million less than he would have been eligible for next off-season because of the complex algebra structuring National Basketball Association (NBA) contracts.
He made his decision to help free up money to fill out the roster around him with players who can help the team win a championship, something they have not done since 1973.
He is not the first athlete to do this. Tom Brady, Derek Jeter and Patrick Mahomes did the same thing, but it is a largely selfless move in a profession where there is not always a ton of selflessness.
"It's simple," Brunson said in August. "I want to be here, I want to show that actions speak louder than just talking about stuff. I want this team to be together for a long time. I want to win here, that's it."
His decision to sacrifice for the greater good cemented his place in Knicks lore.
But could Brunson re-energise the league, too? Yes, the NBA is in a comfortable spot - it trebled its media rights deal in July when it agreed to a US$76 billion package with Disney, Comcast and Amazon.com.
But the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks averaged only 11.3 million viewers a game, according to Nielsen, a three-year low.
This story is from the October 15, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 15, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Team Singapore athletes at Paris Games honoured in Parliament
Olympians and Paralympians 'fought hard in the toughest of arenas', says minister
NTUC central committee unaware of capital reduction plan: Desmond Tan
The labour movement's central committee did not know of the plan to return $1.85 billion to shareholders under the Allianz-Income deal before it was mentioned in Parliament on Oct 14, said NTUC deputy secretary-general Desmond Tan.
MPs raise concerns over info sharing, investor confidence
16 MPs speak for four hours on Bill to halt Allianz's planned offer for Income Insurance
New in Oct BTO launch: 'White flats', additional subsidies
The Oct 16 Build-To-Order (BTO) launch will feature several changes that will affect home buyers, including a new way of classifying flats, more options for singles and new open-concept \"white flats\".
Talent, tourists, new hubs: John Lee lays out ambitious HK revival plan
Given the myriad priority areas, analysts wonder if his economic measures lack focus
Prime, Plus flats launched with 6% to 9% subsidy clawback clause
They are among 8,573 homes offered for sale under new flat classification system
Parliament passes Bill enabling Govt to block Allianz-Income deal
The minister in charge of Singapore's financial regulator will have powers to block deals involving insurers that are run or substantially owned by cooperatives after Parliament passed new laws on Oct 16.
K-pop boy band Riize's Seunghan leaves two days after return
SEOUL - Just two days after announcing that he was rejoining K-pop boy band Riize, South Korean singer Seunghan (right) said on Oct 14 that he is leaving the group.
Stefanie Sun's concert tour kicks off in 2025
The decade-long wait for fans of Stefanie Sun will be over soon.
Theatre actor Shahid Nasheer hailed as bright talent of his generation
Theatre actor Shahid Nasheer died on the evening of Oct 14 at Gleneagles Hospital, following complications while being treated for leukaemia. He was 28.
