What If? Knicks History Altered In Brunson & Kyrie Trade Offer

Sometimes, the best trade is one you don't make.

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, there was, once upon a time, a scenario that would've seen the Dallas Mavericks trade Jalen Brunson to the Brooklyn Nets for Kyrie Irving.

Suppose the Mavericks signed Brunson to that rookie-scale extension instead of letting the Villanova alum hit free agency? And then did that deal?

In that case, the New York Knicks, as currently constructed, wouldn't exist.

Such a scenario would have altered the Knicks' reality, as without Brunson, they would likely miss the playoffs for two more consecutive seasons. Julius Randle would still be the best player on a team seemingly headed nowhere, and Leon Rose's master plan wouldn't appear so masterful.

However, New York escaped such a twisted actuality thanks to the Mavericks' front-office misfortunes and the Knicks' keen strategy of hiring Brunson's father.

Before Brunson, the Knicks didn't have a roster worthy of playoff hopes. However, a stroke of luck saved the New York franchise from an extended period of being the second-best basketball team in the city.

The Knicks look to capitalize now. They loaded up with Brunson's once-hypothetical Nets teammate Mikal Bridges and re-signed OG Anunoby to bolster the wing depth.

Ultimately, the Mavericks and Knicks both succeeded after Brunson's 2022 free-agency decision; it just took Dallas a season to recover. On the Knicks side of the spectrum, playing the what-if game doesn't help, as stressing over hypotheticals - though interesting - can bring on a headache.

Related: Jalen Brunson Keeps It Simple

Instead? The Knicks' reality is promising ... and New York is prime for another successful season as it hones in on the Boston Celtics for opening night.