The New York Knicks are, without a doubt, Jalen Brunson’s team.
The organization continued to prove that on Tuesday by making a small but significant move: naming Brunson as team captain.
The Knicks announced that Brunson is the team’s first captain since Lance Thomas (!) earned the honor in 2018-19 (which also goes to show how much the organization has improved this decade).
Jalen Brunson named 36th captain in franchise history image.twitter.com/D94U5h43JL
-NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) August 6, 2024
It’s clear the organization likes Brunson. His father is on the coaching staff. Team president Leon Rose is his godfather. Brunson’s agent is Rose’s son. Three of Brunson’s college teammates are on the roster (this was also the case last year, with Ryan Arcidiacono before he was traded).
Brunson signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension this offseason. It’s obviously a huge contract, but it’s also a huge discount for the team. It’s worth wondering if Brunson would have agreed to a deal like that if the Knicks weren’t a family-owned business, one that he’s relying on to continue to grow and make use of the financial flexibility it’s given them.
Of course, over the course of two seasons, Brunson has earned this dedication by helping to change the trajectory of the franchise. Beyond his success on the court, Brunson is often recognized for his leadership and the way his calm, collected demeanor carries over into the locker room.
The Knicks wouldn’t be considered championship contenders this season if Brunson hadn’t developed into a top-15 player. Now, he’s officially the leader of a team that hopes to go deep this season.
