NBA Awards Race: Is Knicks’ Jalen Brunson a lock for Most Improved Player?
Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks in free agency that many labeled as an overpay. The Knicks finally landed their point guard, but after playing behind Luka Doncic for four years in Dallas, would Brunson be worth it?
That should no longer be a question. The 26-year-old has proved all of his doubters wrong. His addition has been a large part of the reason why New York is the No. 5 seed in the East with a 42-33 record. The Knicks have already won more games than they did in the past 10 seasons. Julius Randle reclaiming his All-Star status has been huge for the team, but New York would look completely different if Brunson had re-signed with the Mavericks.
Brunson puzzlingly wasn’t named an All-Star reserve, but he should’ve been. He’s averaging a career-high 23.8 points and a career-high 6.2 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field and 41.1% from three in 65 games. His stats and impact have caused him to be one of the frontrunners to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award, but what other players is he going up against?
NBA Awards Race: Will Knicks PG Jalen Brunson win Most Improved Player?
Along with Jalen Brunson, Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton are all in the conversation to win the award. Markkanen is likely the biggest threat to Brunson as he has been on a rampage since being traded to the Jazz as part of the Donovan Mitchell deal with the Cavaliers.
Markkanen’s averaging a career-high 25.7 points, a career-high 8.6 rebounds, and a career-high 1.9 assists in 64 games while shooting 50.6% from the floor and 40% from deep. After starting the season out hot, Utah is currently the No. 11 team in the West with a 35-37 record. If the season ended today, the Jazz would be out of reach of the play-in tournament.
Out of the four listed players (including Brunson), the Knicks point guard has the best case to win the award. Not only has he excelled without Doncic, but he’s pushed New York to one of the top six teams in the East. Many assumed that the Knicks would be fighting for a play-in spot, but with eight games left to play in the regular season, the team will likely be able to secure an automatic playoff berth.
Brunson’s numbers have improved, but the impact that he’s had on New York is what’s most important. Look at how the Knicks performed on their Western Conference road trip without him when he was sidelined with his minor left foot injury and when he was out with a sprained right hand against the Magic. He’s changed the narrative. People are no longer saying that he’s overpaid, but are instead questioning if he’s underpaid.
He might’ve been snubbed from representing the Knicks and the East in Salt Lake City at All-Star Weekend, but Jalen Brunson has proven that he should take home the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award this season.
