Kings Eye Brunson: A Point Guard Puzzle
Word out of Sacramento is the Kings are sniffing around Jalen Brunson. Again. It's a rumor that pops up every so often, and frankly, it always feels a little forced. The Kings, fresh off a 46-win season and a playoff appearance, aren't exactly short on guard play. De'Aaron Fox is their guy, an All-Star who averaged 25.0 points and 6.1 assists last year. Malcolm Brogdon, who just landed in Sacramento via trade, is a solid veteran guard. So, where exactly does Brunson fit into this picture?
From a tactical standpoint, it's clunky. Brunson thrives with the ball in his hands, orchestrating the offense, picking apart defenses in the half-court. He put up 28.7 points and 6.7 assists for the Knicks last season, proving he can be a primary scorer and playmaker. But the Kings already have that in Fox. Playing them together means one of them, likely Brunson, has to shift off-ball more consistently. While Brunson can shoot it (40.1% from three in 2022-23), he's not a catch-and-shoot specialist in the mold of a Klay Thompson.
Here's the thing: Both Fox and Brunson are at their best attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and creating. You put two alpha guards who need the ball to truly shine in the same backcourt, and suddenly the offense can get stagnant. Head coach Mike Brown’s system last year prioritized pace and ball movement. Shoehorning Brunson into that alongside Fox feels like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, even if both pegs are incredibly talented.
The Financial Headache for Sacramento
Let's talk money, because that's where this potential move gets really complicated. Brunson is currently on a four-year, $104 million deal with the Knicks, signed back in 2022. He's got two years left at roughly $26 million per season, with a player option for the 2025-26 season. That's a reasonable contract for a player of his caliber, but the Kings' cap sheet is already tight.
They just extended Domantas Sabonis to a five-year, $217 million deal. Fox is locked in for two more years at over $34 million annually. Harrison Barnes signed a new three-year, $54 million contract. Adding Brunson would mean taking on another significant salary, likely requiring Sacramento to shed some valuable assets. Richaun Holmes' $12 million was moved, but that was just the beginning. To get Brunson, the Kings would likely need to send out a package centered around players like Kevin Huerter ($15.6 million) and maybe even Keegan Murray ($8 million). And that's before considering draft capital.
Real talk: Giving up a young, promising forward like Murray, who shot 40.2% from three as a rookie and set the NBA rookie record for threes made with 206, for a redundant backcourt piece is just bad business. Murray is on a rookie deal, offering incredible value. Sacrificing that for Brunson, whose contract will soon require another large extension, feels like a step backward in roster construction.
“The Kings have built a deep, cohesive unit,” one Western Conference scout told me off the record. “Bringing in Brunson, who demands the ball and a big salary, would disrupt that chemistry and force them to give up key role players. It's a move that makes sense if you’re rebuilding, not if you’re a playoff team trying to contend.”
Knicks' Perspective and the Grizzlies' Shadow
For the Knicks, letting go of Brunson would be an absolute shocker. He's their undisputed leader, the engine of their offense, and a fan favorite. New York wouldn't just give him away. They'd demand a king's ransom, likely multiple first-round picks, a promising young player, and salary matching. The Kings, having traded multiple picks for Sabonis, don't have a treasure trove of draft capital to offer.
And let's not forget the Memphis Grizzlies. They’re facing a similar challenge with Ja Morant's suspension and their need for reliable guard play. While Brunson isn't a long-term answer for Morant's absence, his scoring and leadership would be invaluable. However, Memphis is in a tough spot financially too, with Morant's max deal kicking in and Desmond Bane's extension looming. Plus, the Knicks would likely prefer to send Brunson to the Western Conference if they were forced to move him.
Comparing this to similar moves, you have to look at teams that tried to pair two ball-dominant guards. The Rockets with James Harden and Russell Westbrook ultimately didn't work. The Cavaliers with Kyrie Irving and LeBron James only worked because LeBron is a generational talent who can play any role. Fox and Brunson are both excellent, but neither is LeBron. The fit is just too awkward.
My slightly controversial take: The Kings pursuing Brunson is a distraction. They just solidified their core, made smart moves to add depth in Brogdon and Sasha Vezenkov. They should be focused on developing Murray and their existing talent, not chasing a star who doesn't quite fit their established identity. It feels like a move born of impatience rather than strategic foresight.
Prediction: The Kings will ultimately back away from any serious pursuit of Jalen Brunson, realizing the financial and tactical gymnastics required aren't worth the marginal upgrade, especially given the assets they'd have to sacrifice.