The New York Knicks are locking in their core ahead of the 2025-26 season, securing Mikal Bridges on a four-year, $150 million deal and keeping franchise cornerstone Jalen Brunson in place.
With Mike Brown taking over as head coach, the Knicks are hoping for an even bigger leap after recent playoff runs.
While Brunson has already established himself as one of the NBA’s elite guards, his next big stage could come away from the league entirely.
“[Brunson] should easily slide into the vacancy left by Curry at the guard position,” CBS Sports’ Colin Ward-Henninger wrote. “Brunson has developed into one of the most prolific scoring guards in the world and, while he lacks size, his grittiness and intelligence should allow him to hold his own defensively on the international stage. He has yet to make an Olympic appearance, but Brunson won gold as a member of the U18 and U19 Team USA squads and was a key member of the 2023 World Cup team.”
The 28-year-old was a strong candidate for the 2024 Olympic roster but ultimately missed out. With his continued rise, that absence may prove to be only a delay.
Brunson’s standing among NBA guards is already elite. He was labeled as the “most important New York Knicks player in a decade” in a ranking by Frank Urbina of HoopsHype.
Urbina placed him at number three guard in the league, trailing only Luka Doncic of the Lakers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder.
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