Is Jalen Brunson a Top 5 Guard in the NBA?

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When it comes to point guards in the NBA, we have to break down every little thing they are doing in the NBA. With the Knicks, this was Jalen Brunson's first year in the uniform, brought the Knicks to their first second-round series in about a decade, and led another legendary 8-0 run at the end of last season. After playing 68 out of 82 games this season, Brunson averaged his best numbers, 24 points per game (PPG), 3.5 rebounds per game (RPG), and also 6.2 assists per game (APG) while also shooting at a 48.1 percent field goal percentage (FG%). This was the start of an amazing run. Brunson and Julius Randle had a few issues connecting on the court, but as soon as the second 8-0, the winning streak hit, the Knicks took off, and the connection was insane.

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

They finally knew how to play with each other and how to do it well, because on top of what Brunson was averaging, Julius was still better, averaging 25 ppg, 10 rpg, and 5 apg. There was no doubt in my mind that Julius deserved the all star spot, but at the same time I feel like it angered Brunson a little bit. On the second 8-0 winning streak this season (yes there were two separate times) he scored 38 points against the Jazz on 2/11, then on the 13th versus the nets, he scored 40 points. He dropped off a little bit from there, but still kept it above his scoring average. This year Brunson has had 5 40+ point games, with one of those games being the last game of the season against Miami, chipping in 41 to try to keep the series alive.

With all of this being said about Brunson, is he a top 5 point guard in the league? Moving my bias out of the way a little bit, no, he is not a top 5 point guard in the NBA. YET. Do not get me wrong, Brunson is on the cusp of making the top 5 point guards in the NBA, but is not there yet. A few names that come to mind are Stephen Curry, De’Aaron Fox, Luka Doncic, Damian Lillard, and Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Brunson, soon enough, will become a top 5 point guard in the league, considering that he is already the 10th best in the league, it shouldn’t be a far jump for him. However in my opinion some people who were over Brunson that I saw on this list, that should have not been over him. When I take into consideration about team success if your able to make a huge splash your first year on the team, not only didn’t that happen with Brunson but team leadership switched over from Julius Randle, to Jalen Brunson. The Knicks have been in and out of the playoffs as of late, but I believe this year the Knicks proved that they could be a genuine contender with the team they have right now.

Fadeaway World

I wouldn't be a Knicks fan if I didn't talk about the rumor mill surrounding the Knicks as of late. The Cleveland Cavaliers have heavily suggested that they will not resign Donovan Mitchell, mainly because he wants to play in New York. He thought the deal was done, and was already training with some of his teammates because the trade to Cleveland went down. I believe the Cavaliers are being pressured by the owner to trade him, seeing how he let Lebron James walk in free agency without any return on a trade, maybe this move is from PTSD. Obviously, in any scenario where you are unsure if a star will leave your organization, it is usually best to trade them, find a replacement, or get some future assets. The Knicks have the future assets to give, but I don’t want to trade anyone, I feel like the Knicks could actually hold out till free agency to sign Mitchell. Then the NBA would have to deal with a Brunson, Mitchell, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson lineup, and that could be really dangerous when Robinson takes a step in the defensive player of the year conversations.

EmbiidLAPRESSE

Now for the other trade rumor, we have been hearing, it’s no secret that Joel Embiid and Leon Rose, president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks, used to be clients and agents at one point in Embiid’s career. A path could converge again in New York. But how likely is it? The Knicks would have to give up Robinson, who I’m already pretty high on in terms of defense and offensive rebound ability. They would also have to give up Julius Randle, who has been giving the Knicks empty stats, and a young player like Immanuel Quickly or Quintin Grimes. If the Knicks want to go down a route where they attain Mitchell and Embiid, the only way I see that happening is if RJ Barrett and Julius Randle are traded because if the Knicks want to sign both players, they will not have any cap space and would be over the limit.

I would love to see Mitchell and Embiid in New York alongside Brunson, it could finally happen after 50 long years, the Knicks could finally somehow get to the finals and win. However, sticking to reality, if even one of those trades goes down to where we get either star, the Knicks would definitely be the best team in the NBA.