Jalen Brunson to Memphis: A Backcourt Crowding?
The rumor mill is buzzing, and it’s not just the usual pre-draft chatter. Whispers out of New York suggest Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' dynamic point guard, might be a target for the Memphis Grizzlies. It sounds wild at first blush, doesn't it? Brunson just wrapped up a season averaging 28.7 points and 6.7 assists, leading the Knicks to the second round of the playoffs. Why would he leave, and why would Memphis even be in the mix?
Here's the thing: Memphis is desperate for a shake-up. After a dismal 27-55 season, injuries derailed what was supposed to be a bounce-back year. Ja Morant played only nine games. Desmond Bane missed a chunk. Marcus Smart barely stayed on the court. They need reliability, and they need a proven offensive engine not named Morant to take some pressure off.
Tactically, this is where it gets complicated. Brunson is a ball-dominant guard, a maestro in the pick-and-roll. Morant, when healthy, is also incredibly ball-dominant. You'd be pairing two elite, undersized guards who thrive with the ball in their hands. Can they truly coexist? The league has seen success with dual-point guard lineups, sure, but usually, one is more of a catch-and-shoot threat. Brunson shot 40.1% from three this past season, but he's not primarily an off-ball guy. He's at his best creating off the dribble.
Look, the Grizzlies certainly need a secondary playmaker who can handle the rock when Morant is off the floor or when defenses collapse on Ja. Brunson absolutely fits that bill. He proved he can carry an offense. But if you’re trading significant assets for him, you're not bringing him in to be a glorified sixth man. You're bringing him in to be a co-star. That's a lot of mouths to feed in the backcourt when you also have Bane, who needs his touches, and Smart, who brings a different kind of defensive intensity and occasional offense.
The Financial Headache and Asset Drain
This isn't just about fitting two stars into one backcourt. It's about the cash. Brunson is currently on a four-year, $104 million deal, with a player option for the 2025-26 season. He's making $26.3 million next season. Morant is on a five-year, $194 million deal. Bane is on a five-year, $197 million extension that kicks in next season. Smart is making $19.9 million. You're looking at a serious cap crunch, and Memphis is already projected to be over the luxury tax line next year without adding Brunson.
To acquire Brunson, the Grizzlies would have to send out roughly equivalent salary. Dillon Brooks' contract last season was $22.4 million, for reference. They'd likely have to part with a combination of players like Smart, Brandon Clarke, or Luke Kennard, plus multiple first-round picks. The Knicks, after all, aren't just giving away their franchise player. They'd demand a haul. Is Memphis willing to gut their remaining depth and future draft capital for a potentially awkward fit?
Think about the Phoenix Suns' acquisition of Bradley Beal. They gave up Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and a ton of picks and swaps. Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker are all on max deals. The Suns have virtually no depth, and their cap sheet is a nightmare. Memphis would be heading down a similar path, albeit with younger stars. The difference is Beal is a far more natural off-ball scorer than Brunson. Beal can play shooting guard next to a primary creator. Brunson is the primary creator.
My hot take? This move feels like desperation. It's a swing for a big name, but not necessarily the right name. Memphis needs wings, versatile forwards who can shoot and defend. They need more size. Adding another guard, no matter how talented, doesn't address their most glaring weaknesses. It exacerbates the problem of having too many ball-dominant guards and not enough complementary pieces.
Impact on Both Sides of the Deal
For the Knicks, trading Brunson would be a seismic shift. He's become the undisputed leader and face of the franchise. Fans adore him. His departure would signal a full rebuild or a pivot to acquiring a different type of star. They'd be looking for young talent and draft picks, perhaps aiming for a top-tier wing or big man to build around going forward. Losing a player who just delivered an All-NBA caliber season would be a tough pill to swallow, but if the return is overwhelming, Leon Rose might consider it.
For the Grizzlies, the immediate impact would be a jolt of offensive firepower. Brunson is an elite scorer and a clutch performer. He'd give them a legitimate second option who can create his own shot consistently, something they desperately lacked when Morant was out. The question is, at what cost? You'd be losing valuable rotation players and draft assets, leaving the bench thin and the future less flexible. And again, the Morant-Brunson dynamic is the elephant in the room. Can two lead guards truly share the ball enough to maximize their individual talents and the team's potential?
Ultimately, this feels like a high-risk, high-reward move for Memphis. The reward is a potential offensive juggernaut. The risk is an unbalanced roster, a depleted asset pool, and a backcourt that struggles to find rhythm together. The Grizzlies have a strong defensive identity when healthy, but adding Brunson doesn't necessarily enhance that. His defense, while improved, isn't his calling card.
Bold Prediction: The Grizzlies will ultimately pass on a Brunson trade, opting instead to target a versatile 3-and-D wing in free agency or via a smaller trade, prioritizing roster balance over another undersized star.