Woj 2 years ago today: "In a largely unprecedented financial concession to give roster flexibility to a contending franchise, Jalen Brunson has agreed to a 4-year, $156.5 million contract extension--$113 million less guaranteed than he's eligible to sign for a year from now…The repercussions of Brunson choosing 4 year / $156.5 million max deal over the 5 year / $269.1 million deal in 2025 are massive for the Knicks' ability to keep this team together & continue making roster moves to close the gap on a championship. Brunson's deal keeps the Knicks out of the 2d apron…Brunson's study of championship organizations and franchise stars -- Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs, the Tom Brady New England Patriots and the Derek Jeter New York Yankees -- gave him a blueprint for MVP-level players who structured contracts to give their teams the best chances at sustainable title runs…In the modern era, All-NBA player discounts to allow salary cap flexibility have included San Antonio's Tim Duncan taking $11 million less than the maximum in 2007 to keep Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker and Golden State's Kevin Durant taking $10 million less to keep Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala in 2017. LeBron James accepted $2.6 million less on a two-year, $101 million deal this offseason to avoid the second apron for the Los Angeles Lakers…This time, Brunson is taking a $37 million loss that comes with $113 million of total risk to chase a title with the Knicks…"