The New York Knicks are a team that many people are keeping a close eye on heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. The perception of the franchise has changed as a strong foundation is now in place heading into the future.
This is a good team with the chance to become great. Continued development from younger players will help push the Knicks to another level, and they are a prime landing spot for a superstar looking for a change of scenery.
One of the reasons that people are looking at them in a different light is because of point guard Jalen Brunson. The Knicks signed him in free agency in 2022, to the chagrin of many who questioned whether he was cut out to be a lead guard.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Brunson & New York Knicks Updates
The four-year, $104 million deal was ridiculed by many as being an overpay. That tune quickly changed as Brunson had a monster first season in New York, and he is now considered by many to be one of the best bargains in the NBA.
In Year 1 with the Knicks, Brunson performed at an All-Star level, averaging 24 points with 6.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds in the regular season. He took his game to another level in the postseason, putting the team on his back while averaging 27.8 points, 5.6 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
That jump in the postseason is why it is disrespectful that Brunson landed where he did in the ESPN Top 100 Player Rankings this year. Being ranked No. 32 in the league is certainly an impressive feat, but some of the players that landed in front of him should not be there.
Trae Young, who came in at No. 29, should not be ahead of Brunson. He has failed to help elevate the Atlanta Hawks to another level despite the team adding Dejounte Murray as a new backcourt mate for him.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Brunson & New York Knicks Updates
Another player that Knicks fans will point out is De’Aaron Fox at No. 23. Fox was a big reason the Sacramento Kings had a resurgent 2022-23 season, snapping the longest playoff drought in NBA history. Despite being the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, they were bounced out in the first round by the Golden State Warriors.
Donovan Mitchell has been playing at a high level for a long time and earned his No. 15 ranking. But his Clevland Cavaliers lost to Brunson and the Knicks in their first-round series. Putting Brunson ahead of him is unrealistic, but the two should be closer in the rankings.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Brunson & New York Knicks Updates
There are some within the Knicks’ organization that Brunson has another level to reach with his performance on the court. If he accomplishes that, people will look back at these rankings and question how Brunson wasn’t higher on the list.
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