The off-season provides players an opportunity to improve. A masterful strategy to do so is to link with the greats. Chet Holmgren did it with Kevin Durant, Giannis with Hakeem. The Knicks’ basketball savior, Jalen Brunson, seems to be taking tips from them. However, despite having left Dallas two years ago, he is hinging on the man who replaced him – Kyrie Irving.

Brunson and KAI both have some similarities. They are masters in the post and have a linguistic offensive game. However, Irving’s dexterity and attacking genius are nearly unmatched. Several NBA players in the past have leaned on him to polish their game. The Knicks’ shining knight seems to be no different.

But in the wake of them connecting, an almost groundbreaking trade comes to mind. Jalen Brunson would have still been a behemoth in New York, just for the other team.

Obviously having impressed in Dallas and even earning heavy praise from Luka Doncic, the 28-year-old could have chosen to re-sign with the Mavs. However, at the same time, Mark Cuban loves the appeal that comes with inviting a superstar to don the iconic blue jersey. As their contract overlapped, Kyrie Irving was gearing up for a trade from his turbulent days with the Brooklyn Nets.

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Originally, they sent Dorian Finney-Smith and a few picks to attain the wizard point guard. However, Tim MacMahon previously reported how Brunson would have been purged if he had extended loyalty toward Dallas.

“If Brunson signs that extension with Dallas, I think there is a high likelihood that he would be with the Brooklyn Nets right now. Because listen, Mark Cuban has always been about chasing stars… Kyrie was going to become available the next season as he did. At the time the Mavericks did because they needed a star to replace Brunson, but I think they would have looked at that as an upgrade,” he said during the Knicks Film School podcast.

The Mavs did lay an offer to him for four years and $55 million. But because of his tremendous growth in the absence of Doncic, he felt he deserved more. Finally, when the Knicks came knocking, to Jalen Brunson, it was the most ideal scenario. Not only did he get to be the foundational star, but he was also close to home and his family.

Additionally, he would get to work with his father, which was something Irving admitted to being envious of.

Kyrie Irving too would have loved to have his father on the sidelines

After suffering from an injury the season before, Brunson returned to Dallas in January for the first time since relocating. His former teammates embraced him after the game smiling at his return. He dropped 30 points but ended up on the losing side. It was Kyrie Irving’s 44-point explosion that sealed the fate of the Mavericks.

But even then at the end of the game, KAI was wishing he could be like Brunson. Why?

“What a beautiful situation he and his dad have in New York City. You know, as a peer of his, as a brother of his, I definitely look at that and say, ‘Man, I wish my dad was on the bench coaching me’. I could look down at him like ‘What did you think about that play?’… To see them working together but to see Jalen take kind of that torch that his father left for him as he was teaching him the game of basketball and then Jalen going on and having an incredible college career. I have been watching for a long time,”. Irving said during the post-game press conference.

Rick Brunson works as an assistant coach under Tim Thibodeau with the Knicks. Likewise, it was a considerable factor in his son choosing to play for New York. However, how Brunson has elevated his game and become the initiator for the Knicks is nothing short of sensational.

Not only has he rejuvenated excitement back to the Big Apple, but his latest fiscal sacrifice ensures a secure basketball future in the city. He has become a bona fide superstar who is carrying the beacon of New York basketball. It’s daunting to imagine what might have been if he had taken that deal with the Mavericks.