Just two months after agreeing to a team-friendly extension that could potentially save the New York Knicks millions of dollars, Jalen Brunson has been named the team captain for the 2024-25 season. This announcement, made on Tuesday, is a recognition of the All-Star guard’s loyalty and leadership, following his recent contract decision.
Brunson now becomes the 36th captain in the storied history of the Knicks, taking on the role for the first time since Lance Thomas served as captain during the 2018-19 season.
In an official statement, Knicks president Leon Rose expressed the franchise’s pride in this decision: “The New York Knicks have a deep and storied history, and today we are immensely proud to add to that lineage by naming Jalen Brunson as our captain. Jalen is a natural-born leader, and I am confident he will continue to represent our organization, fans, city, and his teammates with the same heart, grit, and class that he has displayed each and every day since he came to New York.”
Brunson earned his first All-Star selection this past season, alongside All-NBA Second Team honors, after posting career-best averages of 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds. His exceptional play was instrumental in leading the Knicks to the second round of the playoffs, where he elevated his performance further, averaging 32.4 points and 7.5 assists per game.
After his breakout season, Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million contract—a deal that left over $100 million on the table compared to what he could have commanded. By opting for a more modest deal, Brunson provided the Knicks with financial flexibility to strengthen their roster in the coming years, underscoring his commitment to the team’s long-term success. This selflessness has clearly resonated with his teammates and Knicks fans alike, further solidifying his leadership role.
With Brunson as the centrepiece, the Knicks are poised to be strong contenders in the Eastern Conference, with aspirations of making a deep playoff run. However, the path won’t be easy, as the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, set a high bar with their dominant title run last season.
Despite the challenge, the Knicks have made significant moves in the offseason to narrow the gap with Boston, including re-signing OG Anunoby, trading for Mikal Bridges, and extending Brunson’s contract. The team is also looking forward to the return of Julius Randle, who missed the postseason due to injury, and the recovery of other key players like Josh Hart. Brunson himself had surgery in May to repair a broken hand, but with a healthy and upgraded roster, the Knicks are expected to be among the top teams in the Eastern Conference with a championship firmly in their sights.
Comments