There is no doubt that Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks is having his best season ever.
The 26-year-old guard is averaging 23.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists during his first season with the Knicks.
He is landing a great 48.5% from the field and 41.7% from the three-point line.
But more than that, he is firmly entrenched in every play for the team and has stepped up as an excellent facilitator and leader too.
Because of this, the Dallas Mavericks are surely thinking about what could have been.
It’s really remarkable how well Jalen Brunson has played not just tonight, when he has 33 points, but all season. Certainly could write a pretty fascinating alternate history if he had stayed in Dallas – especially in light of recent events.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 14, 2023
NBA writer Tim Bontemps noted how well Brunson has been playing in New York all season.
He said, “Certainly could write a pretty fascinating alternate history if he had stayed in Dallas – especially in light of recent events.”
Bontemps is obviously referencing Dallas’ move to get Kyrie Irving last week.
If the team had instead retained Brunson during the summer, they wouldn’t have made the run at Irving and the entire league would be looking different right now.
But if they had kept Brunson, they also would be having a better season right now.
Brunson impressed Dallas last season with his 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
He got especially hot in the postseason and was part of their surprisingly strong run to the Western Conference Finals.
But Dallas wasn’t able – or wasn’t willing – to extend him a big enough offer in the summer and he decided to part ways with the team and move to New York.
Now he is performing better than ever while the Mavs have missed his presence.
Fans of the Mavericks will always think about what may have happened if Brunson stayed with Luka Doncic and the rest of the team.
