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Redrafting the 2018 NBA Draft: Elite playmakers and modern bigs

By Christopher Kline

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 29: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks protects the ball from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half of the game at American Airlines Center on October 29, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 29: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks protects the ball from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half of the game at American Airlines Center on October 29, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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170. . G. Charlotte Hornets. Jalen Brunson. 11. player

Jalen Brunson emerged as the second banana on a conference finals team last season. Now, he’s in the proverbial driver’s seat in New York. The Knicks have been in desperate need of a real point guard for god knows how long, so Brunson’s arrival has been a breath of fresh air — and a prime example of his talent under a bigger, brighter spotlight.

No longer playing off of Luka Doncic, one of the highest-usage guards in recent NBA history, Brunson now has far more freedom to create off the dribble. He’s paying off the Knicks’ investment on multiple fronts, averaging a career-high in points and assists. His basketball I.Q. and veteran poise are critical for a New York team that can often fall out of rhythm. While Brunson’s advanced age (26) is a mark against him in the context of this re-draft, his additional experience is well reflected in his performance.

In a league that can often punish smaller guards, the 6-foot-1 Brunson gets by with an impressive combination of craft and brute force. He’s strong, capable of bumping taller defenders off their spots to create space. When confronted with length inside, Brunson has a deep bag of tricks to fall back on. Pump fakes, hesitation moves, floaters, fadeaways — it’s hard for a defender to properly time their contest when Brunson decides to attack.

Certain defensive matchups can still cause problems for Brunson, but he competes hard at the point of attack and is comfortable defending guards several inches taller than him. Brunson just plays winning basketball, and his competitive track record dates back to well before his NBA debut in 2018.

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