Anthony Edwards may have just said out loud what the league’s latest superstar hierarchy looks like.
The Minnesota star recently pointed to Jalen Brunson as the player who deserves the label of “Face of the NBA,” and that’s no small statement coming from someone whose game and swagger are so often compared to Michael Jordan. Edwards is usually the name people circle when they talk about the next man up. This time, though, he put the spotlight on the New York Knicks guard instead.
That choice says plenty about where the game feels like it’s headed. The old image of the NBA superstar was built on jaw-dropping athleticism and highlight-reel force, the kind of profile that belonged to players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Brunson is built differently. He doesn’t overwhelm you with size or flash.
He wins with grit, poise, and the kind of details that stack up into something bigger.
And right now, that formula is working.
Brunson not only delivered the Knicks their first Larry O'Brien Trophy this past June, but he also picked up 11 separate honors in 2025-26 for the kind of “everyman” production that has become his calling card. For Edwards, that resume makes Brunson the most deserving candidate for the game’s biggest unofficial title.
The bigger story, though, is the example Brunson has set for other stars. His reputation as a worker and a willing sacrifice has been part of his identity for years, not just this past season.
Two summers ago, he made a move that still stands out: he chose to leave $113 million on the table in his 2024 contract extension, taking a four-year, $156.5 million deal instead of the five-year, $269 million contract he could have signed. The reason was simple - give the Knicks more financial flexibility.
That decision ended up mattering in a huge way. Without Brunson’s willingness to take less, New York likely wouldn’t have been able to re-sign OG Anunoby or trade for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, both of whom played major roles in the team’s title run.
Now that mindset is showing up elsewhere around the league. Victor Wembanyama took less than the supermax extension this summer to give San Antonio more spending power later, and LeBron is reportedly willing to sign for a minimum deal in free agency.
The trend is hard to miss. More stars are choosing the path of sacrifice in pursuit of a ring, and Brunson looks like the player who helped make that kind of thinking feel not just acceptable, but smart.
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For the Knicks, the issue is not abstract. Their decision to avoid crossing the second apron has already carried basketball consequences, including the loss of Mitchell Robinson, who is now on a three-year deal elsewhere. Across the league, other front offices are making similar calculations, and Oklahoma Citys recent move to get under the line only underscored how aggressively teams are treating that cap marker. The Knicks may not be alone in feeling the squeeze, but they know exactly what it costs when the bill comes due. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Suddenly Have A New Center Problem After Cisse Twist
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Sharps appeal is pretty clear for a team looking for low-risk size: he was the G League Defensive Player of the Year and showed flashes in limited Summer League minutes with 7.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. New York is still sorting through its options, but the idea of using a two-way spot on a defender with that kind of length gives the front office another path if the center market keeps tightening. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Repeat Hopes Just Got More Complicated In A Familiar Place
The Hawks were already one of the more uncomfortable matchups for the Knicks after giving New York its toughest run in the 2026 playoffs before the title push finally ended their season. Now Atlanta has spent the offseason trying to make itself even harder to handle, with moves aimed at sharpening both the second unit and the defense around a group that has become a familiar problem for New York.
Aaron Wiggins was brought in earlier this month to help the bench offense, and the broader picture is clear enough for the Knicks to notice. Atlanta is trying to turn last springs playoff resistance into something sturdier for the next meeting, and the additions are designed to make that path a lot less forgiving for a team that would rather not see this opponent again in a high-stakes series. [Read more 🡒]