Bad Landing Spot: New York Knicks
While we mentioned Jalen Brunson isn’t reliant on playing next to a superstar for him to make a consistently positive impact, there are still fit considerations required. There is some reason for concern with the New York Knicks.
Brunson is reliant on getting into the paint for short-range jumpers and playing off his pivots when the initial drive doesn’t have much to offer. The spacing the Dallas Mavericks’ offense provides makes that a maximized play style for him, but that’s not the case with the Knicks.
The Knicks involve Julius Randle plenty inside the arc and RJ Barrett is also wired to get downhill as his primary source for scoring production. Having three players as top options that all aren’t the greatest pull-up 3-point shooters that like to get into the paint is limiting.
The Knicks also do not have a stretch-five to necessarily open the floor up, even more, to help make the most of a Brunson, Barrett, and Randle trio. Of course, they could change that, but it’s not easy to find starting quality players of that mold.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pacers Could Join Knicks, Pistons In Pursuit Of Mavericks’ Jalen Brunson
The Mavericks also aren’t going to be interested in assisting with a sign-and-trade, so they’d need clear cap space to sign Brunson in a separate deal. While creativity from the Knicks could make it work, it’s more challenging to clear room to sign Brunson and make other upgrades.
