Breaking News: Jalen Brunson Emerges as Public Enemy No. 1 for Knicks Fans After Controversial Move

Breaking News: Jalen Brunson Emerges as Public Enemy No. 1 for Knicks Fans After Controversial Move

Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks’ current star and leader, almost became the very player Knicks fans love to hate. A “what if” scenario explored by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon suggests that if the Dallas Mavericks had retained Brunson, the point guard could have found himself wearing a different jersey—one that would have made him the enemy of New York basketball fans.

In the 2022 offseason, Brunson’s free agency was a major talking point, and his eventual move to the Knicks was a pivotal moment for both the player and the franchise. But MacMahon theorized a different path for Brunson—one where the Mavericks managed to re-sign him and kept him in Dallas for the 2022-23 season. In this alternate reality, Brunson wouldn’t have stayed in Texas long. Instead, he might have been involved in the blockbuster trade that brought Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks from the Brooklyn Nets.

MacMahon pointed out that the Mavericks, and especially team owner Mark Cuban, never fully viewed Brunson as a star of the caliber of someone like Irving. As a result, when the opportunity to acquire Irving arose, Dallas likely would have moved Brunson to make room for the former MVP. The trade would have sent Brunson to the Nets, setting up a storyline that could have ignited a fierce rivalry between the player and the Knicks.

Had that played out, Brunson could have found himself in a Brooklyn uniform, pitting him against the Knicks in a highly charged rivalry. Knicks fans, already wary of their cross-town rivals, would have had a new face to target: the former franchise hope who left them for another team. The idea of Brunson as a Net is an intriguing one, but thankfully for New York, it never materialized.

Instead, Brunson’s journey took him to the Knicks, where his impact has been nothing short of spectacular. The team made him a four-year, $104 million offer, and he has lived up to every bit of that investment. Brunson’s performances in New York have turned him into an All-NBA caliber player and an All-Star, filling the leadership void left by past Knicks stars. His role was solidified further when the Knicks made him their captain in the summer of 2023.

Brunson’s tenure in New York has also been marked by a new, nine-figure contract extension, ensuring that the Knicks’ success will be tied to his leadership for the foreseeable future. The star guard’s impact is undeniable, as he continues to elevate the Knicks’ performance in the competitive Eastern Conference.

Ironically, just as New York fans were ready to embrace their new star, the Knicks will soon face the Mavericks once more, when they return to Dallas for a primetime showdown. But this time, Jalen Brunson will be wearing the Knicks’ colors, a far cry from the potential enemy role he almost played.