Josh Hart defends Jalen Brunson after Draymond Green’s contract criticism

Draymond Green questioned New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson’s decision to take a $100 million discount in his four‑year, $156.5 million contract extension signed in July 2024. Green argued on the Club 520 podcast that the Knicks could afford the full amount and compared Brunson’s situation to the massive deals of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The comment resurfaced in July 2026, after the Knicks won the NBA Finals, and went viral on X.

Knicks forward Josh Hart responded on X, writing, “We got to normalize grown men not counting other people’s pockets,” defending Brunson’s choice and urging critics to stop scrutinising teammates’ earnings. Green later replied on Threads, questioning why Hart waited two years to reply. The exchange sparked a broader discussion among fans about salary flexibility and team‑building strategy.

The dispute highlights the Knicks’ cap‑management approach that left roughly $113 million on the table to retain core players and ultimately helped the franchise capture the 2026 championship.