New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Knicks' widely derided signing of Jalen Brunson looks to be paying off

By Danny Goebel | Last updated Jan 10, 2023 4:35 PM ET

Halfway through the NBA regular season, the verdict is in on New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson: He's worth every penny of his four-year, $104 million deal.

Before becoming a Knick, the 6-foot-2 floor general was a sidekick to Luka Doncic for four years in Dallas. For the Mavericks, he averaged 11.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds — serviceable but unspectacular numbers.

In the playoffs, Brunson served notice that he could be special. In Dallas' run that culminated in the Western Conference finals, he averaged 21.5 points in 18 games.

Despite his improved game, NBA media trashed last summer's signing of Brunson by the Knicks.

Sports Illustrated’s Michael Pina graded it a “C,” dubbing Brunson as a “a 25-year-old who probably won’t ever make an All-Star team.”

ESPN carnival barker Stephen A. Smith also ripped the deal.

The signing cost the organization more than money. Per the Athletic's Fred Katz, the Knicks tampered with the former Maverick and were stripped of a 2025 second-round pick by the NBA.

In Monday night's loss to the Bucks, Brunson showcased the potential the Knicks saw in him last summer. The 26-year-old scored 44 points on 15-for-30 shooting from the field against Jrue Holiday, a four-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team.

A career night for Jalen Brunson:

44 PTS (career-high)
7 REB
4 AST
4 3PM pic.twitter.com/TxRZB3lj01
— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2023

Over his first 34 games with the Knicks, Brunson averaged a serviceable 20.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists. Since returning from injury, Brunson has put up superstar numbers, averaging 33 points, six assists and 5.8 rebounds over four games.

The Knicks are 22-19, and if their highly paid point guard continues putting up All-Star numbers, New York could win its first playoff series in 10 years.

That alone would be worth Brunson's money.

Danny Goebel

Danny Goebel is a fan of the NBA, MLB, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He begrudgingly enjoys watching Cubs baseball during the summer and follows Bucks basketball during the winter. Originally from northwestern Iowa, Danny has spent the last 8 years in Colorado and currently resides in Montana.

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