The NBA Cup is in full swing, and that means we are just weeks away from seeing who wins the top prize in the popular in-season tournament.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks wants to win it all, but not just because of the pride and glory that come with victory.
According to Kristian Winfield, via Legion Hoops, Brunson explained that he wants to help out his teammates who don’t get paid as much as him.
Brunson said:
“I want to win the NBA Cup to help my teammates on minimum salaries and two-way deals get that $500K payday.”
Jalen Brunson: “I want to win the NBA Cup to help my teammates on minimum salaries and two-way deals get that $500K payday.”
Josh Hart: “No. I wanna win cause I want a damn watch. The new [Audemars Piguet].” ?
(via @Krisplashed, h/t @YahooSports) pic.twitter.com/w7quhwB5Fv
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 3, 2024
Not only do winners of the NBA Cup get to brag and hold a special spot in league history, but they also get monetary compensation.
Players who lose in the quarterfinals receive a bit more than $51,000.
Those who lose in the semifinals receive $102,000, while those who lose in the championship game get $205,000.
Meanwhile, the winners of the NBA Cup walk away with $514,971 each.
That’s a lot of money, especially for younger and unproven players who are on two-way deals or don’t receive large salaries.
For someone like Brunson, that’s just a portion of his annual paycheck, but it’s a massive sum for many other players, and he is considering them.
These payouts are larger than they were last year because of the league’s CBA.
In total, the sum is about 3% more than it was during the first NBA Cup.
No one knows how far the Knicks will go and if they will receive the trophy and the cash prize, but this statement from Brunson shows that his heart is in the right place for his fellow teammates.
NEXT: Odds Show A Clear Betting Favorite To Win The NBA Cup
