Knicks: Should New York explore a trade for Jalen Brunson?

Jalen Brunson should most certainly be on the New York Knicks‘ radar over the next month or so.

It’s not news to anyone that I have a strong disliking for the Mavs, only due to Kristaps Porzingis being on the team. If and when he’s no longer a part of the organization, my hatred will flow onto the next team that acquires the 7’3 Latvian snake.

In fact, I’ve written several articles discussing why I believe the Mavs have already lost the Porzingis trade just 2 short years into its existence.

That being said, I think the Knicks should explore another deal with the Mavs since they’re currently struggling and the Knicks are thriving to an extent.

I would relish in any opportunity where the Knicks get better and the Mavs get worse.

Jalen Brunson has family ties to Knicks President Leon Rose. Should New York strike a deal with the Mavs for the Tri-State native?

Here’s a trade I worked up that I believe works for both sides:

To breakdown the trade, Elfrid Payton could either be kept, and the Mavs would move Trey Burke to more of an off-ball role or flipped elsewhere for another player or draft compensation. Kevin Knox could fill in as a bench wing either at the 3 or small-ball 4. The Detroit 2nd round pick is almost like a late first-rounder so it helps sweeten the deal.

On the Knicks end, they get a 24-year-old point guard in only his 3rd season that can shoot very well and has high offensive awareness. James Johnson could be dealt elsewhere or cut as he’s a free agent after this season anyway and wouldn’t impact next season’s cap very much at all.

The deal wouldn’t blow anyone’s hair back like a trade for Bradley Beal or Zach LaVine, but would certainly help the Knicks in their quest towards the 2021 playoffs.

In case anyone wasn’t aware, Jalen Brunson comes from a family lineage of basketball talents, most notably, his father Rick Brunson.

The former Knick, Rick Brunson, also happens to be one of the first clients of current Knicks president, Leon Rose. Rose and Brunson still have a close relationship today and Rose views Jalen Brunson like a son.

Jalen Brunson is currently having the best season of his young career, averaging 12 points and nearly 4 assists off the bench. He’s also shooting just shy of 39% from 3-point range.

Even with Brunson’s high-level production off the bench, the Mavs are still underperforming in comparison to last season, where it was believed that the team had gotten better and would be competing for a championship in the 2020-21 season.

Acquiring Jalen Brunson would actually fill two separate needs the Knicks have — shooting and a capable playmaking facilitator running the point.

The likelihood of this trade happening is slim, as Brunson is one of the few bright spots on the Mavericks aside from Luka Doncic, but if he were to become available in the coming month, I say the Knicks would be foolish not to see if he could be had.