BREAKING: Jalen Brunson Rejects $55.5M Lakers Offer, Commits to Knicks: “I Have No Plans Beyond New York”
In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves across the NBA landscape, New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson has reportedly turned down a massive $55.5 million offer from the Los Angeles Lakers, choosing instead to remain loyal to the Knicks — the team he has openly declared he wants to retire with.
The Lakers, in the wake of LeBron James’ potential retirement or exit, had been aggressively scouting the league for a dynamic leader who could take over the franchise’s mantle. Jalen Brunson, who signed a $29.7 million extension in December 2024, quickly emerged as their top target. Sources close to the situation revealed that Lakers executives were “confident” Brunson would consider the offer, especially with the opportunity to join one of the most storied franchises in NBA history and lead them into a new era.
But Brunson had other plans.
“I have no plans beyond the New York Knicks,” Brunson stated firmly in a press conference Wednesday morning. “This city embraced me. This team believed in me when many others didn’t. I’m building something special here, and I want to see it through — from beginning to end.”
This unwavering loyalty has further endeared Brunson to the Knicks fanbase, who have been desperate for stability and a franchise leader in a league that often thrives on blockbuster trades and flashy exits. Since joining the Knicks from the Dallas Mavericks in 2022, Brunson has elevated his game and established himself as the cornerstone of the franchise. In the 2024–25 season alone, he averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds, leading the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in over two decades.
NBA insiders believe that Brunson’s decision is a powerful statement in an era where player loyalty has become increasingly rare.
Former Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier weighed in on the news: “We’ve seen many stars come and go, but Jalen choosing us over Hollywood? That speaks volumes. That’s leadership. That’s New York grit.”
The Lakers, meanwhile, are left scrambling. Losing LeBron was a massive blow, but failing to land Brunson as his successor makes their rebuilding process even more complicated. While they still have talent in Anthony Davis and rising players like Austin Reaves, the front office must now look elsewhere for a new face of the franchise.
Despite speculation that the Knicks may not have been able to match the financial muscle of the Lakers’ offer, insiders say the team’s front office had no worries. A source said, “Jalen made it clear. It wasn’t about the money. It was about the mission.”
With his commitment to the Knicks stronger than ever, Jalen Brunson is carving out a legacy in the Big Apple — one marked not only by elite performances but by unwavering loyalty. And in a league dominated by movement, that may be more valuable than any contract.
