Jalen Brunson Set to Be a Serious MVP Contender in 2025-26
Jalen Brunson won’t just be mentioned in the MVP race this season as a dark-horse candidate. He is entering the 2025-26 campaign as a legitimate top-five contender — and if the Knicks finish near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Brunson could very well find himself leading the entire conversation.
Why Brunson’s MVP Case Is Stronger Than Ever
On The Mismatch podcast, analyst David Jacoby summed it up perfectly: “Brunson is more likely to be in the top five of MVP… If we accept that the Knicks are going to be one of the top two [teams in the East]… Brunson would be much more likely to get the best player on the best team vote.”
That’s the formula. MVPs are almost always the combination of elite production and team success. Brunson has already proven he can deliver both at an All-NBA level.
Last season, he averaged 26 points and 7.3 assists, collected his second straight All-NBA Second Team honor, and was named the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year. He led the league in clutch field goals and ranked among the best in scoring and playmaking during high-pressure moments.
And this came on the heels of his 2023-24 season, when he put up 28.7 points per game and finished fifth in MVP voting. At this point, Brunson isn’t “emerging” anymore — he’s already established himself as one of the NBA’s most reliable stars.
The Knicks Are Built to Boost His MVP Campaign
Brunson’s excellence has carried the Knicks to three straight playoff appearances, consecutive 50-win seasons, and their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years. Now, the roster around him has only improved.
The Knicks upgraded their depth this offseason while bringing in Mike Brown, a head coach with proven postseason credentials. His system is tailor-made to maximize the talent of a roster that’s more complete than it’s been in decades.
That support structure means Brunson won’t have to do everything on his own, but it also ensures his production won’t dip. With a balanced roster behind him, his impact on winning will stand out even more — a critical factor in MVP voting.
The Eastern Conference Just Opened Wide
As if Brunson’s case wasn’t already strong, the competitive landscape has shifted dramatically in New York’s favor.
- Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum are both recovering from Achilles injuries and are expected to miss most — if not all — of the season.
- Damian Lillard was waived by Milwaukee, taking another MVP-caliber guard out of the picture.
Suddenly, teams that were considered major threats in the East are scrambling just to stay competitive. The Knicks, meanwhile, look positioned to climb even higher, perhaps even to the No. 1 seed.
If New York does that, Brunson will naturally be credited as the driving force. In the MVP conversation, being the best player on the best team still carries weight — and Brunson is poised to check that box.
The Moment Is Here
Brunson has the résumé. He has the role. And now, he has the opportunity. Everything is aligned for the Knicks’ floor general to push his way into the heart of the MVP race.
Forget penciling him in for “consideration.” Jalen Brunson is built for this moment, and if the Knicks seize their chance in a wide-open East, don’t be surprised when he’s holding the MVP trophy by season’s end.
