NBA Odds: Jalen Brunson Ready to End the MVP

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NBA Odds: Jalen Brunson Ready to End the MVP Drought for the Knicks

It’s almost unbelievable that a storied franchise like the New York Knicks has not produced an MVP since Willis Reed won the award in the 1969-70 season. Is Jalen Brunson about to end this 55-year wait?

Brunson in the Best Position for MVP

James L. Edwards III of The Athletic predicts that Brunson, who finished fifth in MVP voting last year, is in the perfect situation to capture the Michael Jordan Trophy in the 2024-25 season. The improvement in the Knicks’ spacing, thanks to the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns, gives Brunson an ideal pick-and-pop partner. This will allow three-point specialists like Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart more opportunities to score.

A New Defensive Approach for Brunson

Additionally, Brunson’s size will be fine, as players like Bridges, Hart, and Anunoby will handle the most challenging defensive assignments. This will allow Brunson to focus more on offense. The defensive balance of the Knicks’ starting unit gives Brunson the freedom to operate according to his strengths, which could lead him to career highs.

Brunson’s Rising Career

Brunson has set personal records in his last four seasons, with his points per game jumping from 12.6 to 28.7. His assists have also significantly improved, going from 3.5 to 6.7. With these numbers, it seems likely that the lefty will have another stellar season and make a strong case for MVP. Additionally, the player has become a franchise player, having previously come from the Mavericks. He declared free agency and signed with the Knicks for four years and $104 million, all guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $26 million. He helped the club by signing for four years instead of five, providing more financial space for the team to make further moves.

Betting and Expectations for the Season

According to some experts, Brunson enters the season with the seventh-best NBA Odds to win MVP. The Knicks kick off their 2024-25 campaign against the Celtics on October 22. Don’t miss the action, and keep an eye on the bets to see if Brunson can break the Knicks’ MVP drought!