Nets could get their own Jalen Brunson in promising NBA Draft pick

The New York Knicks are NBA champions, and while it's great for the city of New York, their rivals across the block, the Brooklyn Nets, have to be a little jealous. They'd love to also bring a championship home to New York City.

So, what's a team to do? Jalen Brunson carried the Knicks through the regular season and NBA Finals. He scored 45 points in the final game alone to help the Knicks earn their 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs. It's fair to say that without Brunson, they may not have gone all the way.

The Nets could always try to get their own Brunson. Now, they have that chance in the upcoming NBA draft.

The Nets have a chance to snag their own Jalen Brunson in the NBA draft

The Nets have pick No. 6 in the draft. That's a good spot. Jeremy Woo of ESPN projects that they'll go with point guard Darius Acuff Jr. out of Arkansas. If anyone in this draft class could be the next Brunson, it's him.

On Thursday, when Brunson and the Knicks were still in the midst of the NBA Finals, Acuff actually told ESPN that he wants to be the next Brunson. What better way to do it than play for a New York team?

"We feel like we can go out there and play against anybody," Acuff told ESPN about the mentality of the Knicks star. "I feel like I can hopefully do the same thing one day and it's definitely inspiring to see."

So, don't look now, but the Nets may be a contender soon with their own Brunson in the fold. Acuff also has Brunson to thank, because with Acuff measuring 6-foot-2 without shoes at the May combine, he may not have been as seriously considered if Brunson hadn't opened the door to smaller guards being stars in the NBA.