Jalen Brunson Living Up To 104 Million-Dollar Contract
When New York inked former Mavs guard Jalen Brunson to a 4yr/$104M contract in the offseason, more than a few eyebrows were raised. Fast forward to the 2023 postseason and suddenly that deal is looking like a shrewd piece of business by the Knicks.
Simply put, if not for Jalen Brunson, the Knicks wouldn’t be the playoff team they are right now.
A Breakout Season for Brunson
In four seasons with the Mavericks, Jalen Brunson’s scoring average peaked last season at 16.3 points per game, helping to guide the team to the Western Conference Finals. Such a performance usually meant that a hefty pay raise was in that player’s future. The problem however, is that most chalked Brunson’s success up to playing alongside Luka Doncic.
Reports indicate Brunson was originally willing to sign a contract extension with the Mavs to build upon their postseason success. This however would mean that Brunson would still be playing second fiddle to Doncic had the former remained in Texas.
Proving he was capable of becoming more than just a secondary scorer, Brunson brought his talents to New York by agreeing to a 104-million-dollar contract last summer.
While Julius Randle ended up as the Knicks’ leading scorer with 25.1 points, Jalen Brunson’s averages rose to 24 points, 6.2 assists, and 41.6% three-point shooting across 68 games during the 2022-2023 regular season.
In the 2023 playoffs, Brunson took over the driver’s seat, leading the Knicks with a 26.5 ppg-scoring average. He maintained a 20+ points scoring average in the first round against the Cleveland Cavaliers but took things to the next level in the second round against the Miami Heat.
Brunson Kept the Knicks Alive
Jalen Brunson has posted a scintillating 29 points, seven assists, 5.8 rebounds, and shot 30.8% from the three-point line in the second round thus far.
Facing a must-win situation at home, Brunson dropped 38 points while playing all 48 minutes. He also finished with nine rebounds, seven assists, and shot 40% from three- leading New York to a 112-103 Game Five victory that forced this best-of-seven series to a Game Six in Miami.
Brunson’s ability to get to the free throw line has been a catalyst for New York in the series, as he went 10 for 12 from the charity stripe, including several key buckets down the stretch. While his 3pt shooting has been streaky this series, his ability to drive the lane and either draw contact, or create open looks for his teammates is what has kept the Knicks faint playoff hopes alive.
The Future Looks Bright for New York
If the Knicks push the Heat to a Game Seven at Madison Square Garden on Monday, it would be a massive boost for their confidence, not just this year but in 2023-24 and beyond.
With a core of Brunson, Randle, RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, and Immanuel Quickley, the Knicks have the foundation to continue building a more competitive roster next season. However these playoff reps, especially against a veteran laden Heat squad, will serve the club’s young roster well.
As always, New York has to be mentioned when it comes to big name free agents. And you can rest assured, those who could be looking for a change of scenery are paying close attention to the Knicks this postseason.
If there’s one thing that NBA fans have learned this season, it’s that some players are worth shelling out big cheques for. Jalen Brunson would have helped Luka Doncic in ways Kyrie Irving could not. Who knows where the Mavs would be if Brunson actually stayed in Dallas?
The same thing can be asked if Brunson didn’t go to New York.
-Iggy Gonzales
Photo: Andres Nieto Porras. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.