The 6-foot-2 point guard is today the toast of NYC. With a 45-point performance, Jalen Brunson gave viewers the illusion that he had willed the Nicks to the NBA title. His teammates scored the remaining 49 points. The basketball star is known for his clutch play and modesty. There is another reason, however, to laud the star. He is an astute analyst of comparative state tax rates, advises the WSJ.
When a reporter asked Brunson what his gripe was with Texas, Jalen answered, “I have nothing against Texas. I love Texas. I miss the Texas taxes.”
To the WSJ, Brunson is the “steal of the 21st century.” Alas, Mr. Brunson no longer benefits from the Lone Star State’s lack of a personal income tax.
Most likely, Brunson is in a top tax bracket. According to the WSJ, if he lives in New York City, he’d pay a top individual rate of 14.8%; if in the New York suburbs, he’d pay 10.9%.
Will the Knicks have a harder time signing free agents? Time will tell. Zohran Mamdani, NYC’s socialist mayor, will try to bask in the glory of the Knicks 1st championship in 53 years. You can see the mayor basking during the ticker-tape parade in the financial district on Thursday. If the new mayor gets his way and raises taxes even more, “the Knicks could have a harder time signing free agents.”
Brunson also signed a contract extension for something like $100 million below his market value. He did this so the Knicks could afford to sign more free agents under the NBA’s team salary limits.
The Journal wonders if the Knicks legend will have to negotiate for a bigger contract the next time to make up for the tax greed of New York’s politicians?
