" New York Knicks What surprises me the most is Jaylen Brunson is currently the best player in the Eastern Conference."
This is what TNT's well-known commentator Kenny Smith said about Jaylen Brunson and the Knicks on the show. The reason why Smith gave such a high evaluation is mainly because the Knicks can still play even though the two core players Randle and Mitchell Robinson missed most of the games, and new aid Anunoby also missed some games. They have a top-three record in the Eastern Conference, and they are also expected to be ranked second in the Eastern Conference by the end of the regular season. And the number one hero of all this is none other than Jaylen Brunson, so he is currently the best player in the Eastern Conference!
Perhaps, many people will be dissatisfied with saying that Brunson is the best player in the Eastern Conference. After all, the Eastern Conference has superstars such as Antetokounmpo, Embiid, and Jayson Tatum. But Brunson did something amazing! Leading the remnant Knicks to the top three in the Eastern Conference fully proves his outstanding leadership and superstar attributes. So far this season, Brunson has played 75 games on behalf of the Knicks, averaging 35.3 minutes per game, averaging 28.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists, shooting 48.1% from the field, 40.2% from three-point range, and 84.3% from the free throw line.
There is no doubt that Jaylen Brunson is very good in terms of personal data and performance on the court! Although he is not as well-known as Antetokounmpo, Tatum, and Embiid, he performed an incredible superstar performance in his second season with the Knicks and became a hot star in the Eastern Conference and even the entire league. This also makes the four-year, 106 million contract provided by the Knicks in the summer of 2022 the most successful signing in team history!
There is no doubt that Jaylen Brunson is now the totem of the Knicks, and he has become a veritable king of New York. Therefore, keeping him in New York for a long time has naturally become the top priority of the Knicks management! Currently, the Knicks have two years left on their contract with Brunson, which is 24.96 million for next season and 24.96 million with player options for the 2025-26 season.
It is reported that starting from July 12 this year, Brunson will be eligible to sign a four-year, 156.5 million early contract extension contract with the Knicks; and when he jumps out of the contract and becomes a free agent in 2026, he will be able to get a A five-year contract with a maximum salary of 260 million. Should he reach an early contract extension with the Knicks this summer or break out of the contract and pursue a new contract in 2026? Jaylen Brunson will face a big decision! But what is certain is that he has allowed himself to join the ranks of superstars and has absolute initiative in contract negotiations.
Looking at Brunson now playing well in the Knicks, Dallas Mavericks is undoubtedly regretful! If only they had kept Brunson! Of course, if Jaylen Brunson didn't leave the Mavericks, he would definitely not be able to perform as well as he is today. After all, the Mavericks have always been Luka Doncic’s team. Fortunately, Brunson chose to leave the Mavericks and eventually became a star like Doncic who can influence the game on the court!
Now he is the totem of the Knicks and the team's first core, and this is something the Lone Ranger cannot provide. This also reminds people of what Brunson said when he left the Mavericks: He can do what Luka Doncic can do on the court! This is the fundamental reason why he left the Lone Ranger.
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