Can Jalen Brunson of the Knicks be the best player for the champions?

Jalen Brunson is the face of the New York Knicks, there is no doubt about that.

In his first two seasons with the Knicks, Brunson developed into one of the best players in the league and the team has improved thanks to his efforts.

That's why HoopsHype writers Frank Urbina and Raul Barrigon listed Brunson as the eighth-best player in the NBA.

“New York Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson had already shown signs of being a great player during the 2022-23 season. However, in the 2023-24 season, the two-time national champion at Villanova proved he is undoubtedly an elite player by finishing in the top five in MVP voting, leading the Knicks to the second round of the playoffs and being named to the All-NBA 2nd team,” HoopsHype writes. “There may still be debate about whether or not Brunson can be the best player on a championship team, but considering how selflessly he is now taking less money to sign a contract extension in New York that will help the Knicks compete in the East for years to come, Brunson may be able to put those rumors to rest and prove it beyond a doubt in the seasons to come.”

The following players are listed ahead of Brunson: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets).

All players before Brunson have led their team to either a No. 1 finish, a conference final, or been named MVP – three things the Knicks point guard has come close to but has not yet accomplished.

That means Brunson will have to step it up a notch to be considered one of the game's elite players. However, team success plays a role in the individual accolades of all of these players, and Brunson's affordable contract extension will allow the Knicks to spend more on players around him to improve the team as a whole.

Even though Brunson has yet to prove he can be an NBA champion's best player, there are many reasons to believe so.