Knicks’ Jalen Brunson: ‘I don’t think I’ll go until the wheels fall off’

Jalen Brunson turned 30 on Monday. So fittingly, he’s already getting asked about getting old.

But the Knicks star gave a pretty thoughtful answer when Stefan Bondy of the New York Post asked how much longer he intends to play.

“I don’t think I’ll go until the wheels fall off,” Brunson said. “But the one thing I want to know as I get older is when can I be smart enough to understand my role is changing. And that will determine the end of my career.”

That’s probably a long way off. Brunson is coming off the biggest season of his career, helping lead the Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years. He also underwent a procedure on his left wrist in July but told Bondy he “feels good” with training camp approaching.

So this isn’t Brunson hinting that retirement is anywhere close. Instead, he seems to be thinking about something plenty of great players eventually struggle to accept: The player you are at 30 won’t necessarily be the player you are at 35.

“It’s being able to understand where you are,” Brunson said. “And not letting your ego be in control. I know what I’m capable of. But how long will I be capable of it?”

Granted, the Knicks aren’t asking Brunson to take a smaller role. Just the opposite.

They’re trying to repeat as champions, and Brunson also told Bondy that last season’s title needs to be left exactly where it belongs. Namely, in last season.

“We’re moving on,” he said. “So it can not be in our mindset. It cannot be our focal point if we want to get better.”

Thirty years old. NBA champion. And apparently not interested in spending much time admiring either one.