Jalen ‘Captain Clutch’ Brunson of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals (Photo: Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Cover Jalen ‘Captain Clutch’ Brunson of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals (Photo: Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Jalen ‘Captain Clutch’ Brunson of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals (Photo: Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

A look at the New York Knicks starting 5’s net worth, from superstar deals to rising earnings across a championship-winning core

The New York Knicks enter a new chapter after delivering the franchise’s first NBA championship in more than 53 years. The title run elevated the profiles of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, turning one of the league’s most scrutinised line-ups into a championship-winning core. While their on-court success has dominated headlines, the financial side of the roster tells an equally compelling story.

The Knicks starting 5 has accumulated substantial wealth through NBA salaries, endorsement agreements and business ventures. Collectively, the five players are estimated to have a combined net worth between $205 million and $225 million. Those figures are based on publicly reported earnings, sponsorship deals and known investments, though net worth estimates can fluctuate as contracts, endorsements and asset values change over time.

Below is a closer look at the Knicks starting 5 net worth figures, how each player built their fortune and what their contracts mean for New York’s salary cap outlook moving forward.

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Karl-Anthony Towns net worth

Estimated net worth: $70 million to $100 million+

Karl-Anthony Towns is widely considered the wealthiest member of the Knicks starting 5. Since entering the NBA as the first overall pick in 2015, he has earned well over $250 million in salary and remains one of the league’s highest-paid players.

Much of his wealth stems from a supermax contract that pays roughly $55 million annually. Off the court, Towns has secured endorsement partnerships with major brands throughout his career, most notably Nike. He has also participated in media, gaming and charitable initiatives that have expanded his profile beyond basketball.

Towns carries one of the largest cap figures on the Knicks’ roster. His contract represents a significant financial commitment and occupies a major share of New York’s payroll under the NBA’s salary cap structure.

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OG Anunoby net worth

Estimated net worth: $25 million to $30 million

Ogugua “OG” Anunoby significantly increased his earning power when he signed a five-year, $212.5 million contract to remain with New York. The deal ranks among the largest contracts in franchise history and transformed his long-term financial outlook.

Anunoby has also pursued opportunities beyond the NBA. In 2023, he became a minority owner of the London Lions, giving him a stake in professional basketball outside North America.

Anunoby’s contract is one of the cornerstone deals on the Knicks’ books. The agreement reflects New York’s commitment to retaining its championship core despite the financial constraints that come with operating near the luxury tax thresholds. After that major putback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals and winning the championship, there is no doubt that OG will continue to get his bag.

Jalen Brunson net worth

Estimated net worth: $18 million to $20 million

2026 Finals MVP Jalen Brunson has become the face of the franchise and a central figure in the Knicks starting 5. In 2024, he signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension that drew league-wide attention not just for its size, but for what it left on the table.

Brunson was widely expected to be in line for a far larger payday had he delayed extension talks and entered a more flexible free agency window. By choosing to extend early, he accepted a structure that is widely described by league observers as team-friendly, with reports estimating he could have secured more than $100 million in additional guaranteed earnings under different timing.

That decision had a direct roster impact. The lower cap hit relative to a maximum-level deal gave New York more breathing room to assemble and retain the rest of the Knicks starting 5, strengthening the team’s ability to consolidate talent around him.

Brunson’s off-court earnings, including endorsement partnerships such as Nike, continue to supplement his NBA income and round out his financial profile.

While still a major long-term commitment, Brunson’s extension is considered more flexible than a maximum contract scenario would have been. That structure has been a key factor in allowing the Knicks to maintain multiple high-value contracts within the Knicks starting 5 without immediate roster fragmentation.

Mikal Bridges net worth

Estimated net worth: $25 million to $30 million

Mikal Bridges continues to build his financial portfolio through NBA earnings and endorsement opportunities. Much of his current wealth has been generated through the four-year, $90 million rookie extension he signed earlier in his career with Phoenix, followed by his blockbuster July 2024 trade to the Knicks, and most significantly, a new four-year, $150 million extension he signed with New York in August 2025. That extension, which pays roughly $33.48 million in the 2026-27 season, locks him into the Knicks’ long-term core and substantially increases his career earnings.

As Bridges enters the most lucrative years of his contract, his net worth is expected to continue growing through the championship boost from the 2026 title run and ongoing commercial opportunities. Bridges remains a cornerstone of New York’s long-term financial planning, with his $150 million extension now a defining deal on the Knicks’ books that reflects the team's commitment to retaining its championship core despite the financial constraints of operating near the luxury tax thresholds.

Josh Hart net worth

Estimated net worth: $12 million to $15 million

Josh Hart has steadily accumulated wealth through nearly a decade in the NBA. His four-year veteran extension worth approximately $81 million substantially increased his career earnings and provided long-term financial security.

Beyond basketball, Hart has expanded his public profile through podcast appearances, digital media projects and other off-court ventures.

Hart’s contract is smaller than several of the team’s marquee deals, but it still forms part of a roster that carries one of the league’s largest payroll commitments.

How the Knicks starting 5 affects the salary cap

The Knicks starting 5 represents one of the NBA’s most expensive championship cores. With Towns, Anunoby, Brunson, Bridges and Hart all earning significant salaries, New York has committed a substantial portion of its payroll to five players, totaling roughly $115 million combined. The Knicks’ total payroll exceeds $206 million, making them the second-highest-spending team in the NBA after the Cleveland Cavaliers ($211.5M) and ahead of the Golden State Warriors ($203.9M). Because of the NBA’s salary cap and luxury tax rules, teams that spend this much face steep penalties—up to $5 in tax for every $1 spent—and lose flexibility to sign or trade for additional players.

As a result, retaining a championship roster often requires difficult financial decisions elsewhere on the roster. For the Knicks, that means draft selections, minimum-salary signings and cost-effective role players will continue to play an important role in maintaining roster depth while keeping the core intact. This is now the standard for championship teams: you need to spend heavily on your top five players while filling the rest of the roster with budget-friendly talent from the draft and veterans on minimum deals.

Frequently asked questions

Who has the highest salary in the Knicks starting 5?

Karl-Anthony Towns has the highest salary in the Knicks’ starting five, earning approximately $53.1 million for the 2025-26 season, making him one of the highest-paid players in the NBA.

Which Knicks starter has the largest contract?

Karl-Anthony Towns holds the largest contract among the Knicks’ starters. His supermax extension is worth approximately $224 million over four years. OG Anunoby’s five-year, $212.5 million contract ranks among the largest deals on the roster.

Do Knicks players have business investments?

Yes. OG Anunoby is a minority owner of the London Lions basketball club. Other members of the Knicks starting 5 have expanded their profiles through endorsement partnerships, media appearances and personal business ventures, although details of those activities are not always publicly disclosed.

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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.