Ex-NBA Star Pitches Shocking Jalen Brunson Trade, Urges Knicks to Land NBA Champion Guard

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Mar 2, 2025 3:00 PM ET

Jalen Brunson has provided a tremendous impact for the New York Knicks, helping shift the team's culture and lead winning ways.

Emerging as an All-Star in the Big Apple, Brunson is the engine of the Knicks' offense.

However, there have been some questions asked as to how far the 6-foot-2 guard, alongside All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, can take the Knicks.

Led by the star duo, New York has struggled against opposing contending squads.

Still, with a 39-20 record, it's clear the Knicks are a title contender in their own regard, and they are just now getting a look at their full squad with Mitchell Robinson in the lineup.

Brunson is leading the No. 3-seeded Knicks, averaging 26.1 points and 7.4 assists per game. The star point guard is reaching superstar-level status at 28-years-old.

According to Jeff Teague, a former star NBA guard, the club should look into moving Brunson in an interesting trade.

Teague pitches shocking Brunson trade idea for Knicks

Right now, the Knicks' culture is led by Brunson, though they've got plenty of rounded talent on their squad. Teague believes swapping Brunson for an NBA championship-winning star guard would be a good move for New York.

In a recent "Club 520 Podcast" episode, Teague says the Knicks should move Brunson and pursue Kyrie Irving in a trade.

“If you trade Jalen Brunson back to the Mavericks for Kyrie Irving, nobody would be mad in New York… Even though Jalen Brunson kills in the Garden, the way Kyrie’s going to make it look in the Garden, he’s going to put on a show; everyone would go to the game and be happy," Teague said.

"Jalen Brunson puts on shows, too, but the way Kyrie plays is more of a movie. The way he moves and plays is just way more exciting… it’s a show when you go to the Garden, and Kyrie puts on a show, just in a different way.”

Jeff Teague says that the Knicks should trade Jalen Brunson for Kyrie Irving:

“If you trade Jalen Brunson back to the Mavericks for Kyrie Irving, nobody would be mad in New York… Even though Jalen Brunson kills in the Garden, the way Kyrie’s going to make it look in the Garden,… pic.twitter.com/rdcjsE7WW3
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) March 2, 2025

It's no secret Irving would thrive in the most iconic basketball arena in the world. The Knicks would love to have him on the squad, and the Dallas Mavericks are prone to making groundbreaking moves right now.

Still, would it be worth acquiring Irving if it cost Brunson? The expense of culture and trust in the locker room might be a steep price to pay for the club.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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