TDL Archived: The 2nd Rnd Pick Yankee Swap

[SleepingHero]

I actually believe he might make an all star team in the near future. I'm ok with the idea that you might disagree, and I certainly could be wrong, but I think he's a hell of a shot creator from the mid-range off of the pick and roll, and I happen to think that's the number one most marketable skill in the NBA right now. 

You know me - I'm not going to be in doom and gloom mode forever, even if this happens, and I'm not going to change my narrative to fit some predetermined mood. 

But I'm telling you now, this one is going to hurt me.

Understandable. I just don't see all-star level player in the near future, or ever... And it's not like he needs to be one here anyways. The Knicks HAVE to have that level of talent though, especially if they're going to try and throw absurd star-level money at him. And when Brunson inevitably doesn't perform to those expectations, NYK is going to be rabid mad at him. We've seen that time and again in the past with former Knick saviors, and it's actually killed careers. 

Again, I'm like 98% there with you here. Brunson is a core piece. Losing him for nothing would be a giant kick in the balls. However I don't think he's irreplaceable. Do I have the pathway to replace him now? No. But I do recognize the Mavs were close to a 50 win team without his shot creation in the starting lineup and him coming off the bench in the last 2 years here. They were 1 guy away from taking the Clippers out in those playoffs where Brunson was a no show. This team is a LOT better since then, and we actually have a solid 2nd creator in Dinwiddie to at least soothe that wound should Brunson leave. 

At the end of the day, with or without Brunson, this team will go far because it has Luka Doncic on it and that's all that matters.