The high usage of Jalen Brunson under Tom Thibodeau had become a concern, sources tell ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. Brunson missed games this season due to ankle and calf injuries and one source suggested he could struggle to hold up long-term without a more layered or balance offensive system.
Thibodeau was heavily reliant on Brunson to bail out the New York Knicks during possessions that stalled. Brunson won the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year award as he was highly successful in navigating those situations. Brunson creates a significant portion of his offense in isolation and in pick-and-roll while drawing fouls, which puts mileage on his body.
According to Shelburne's reporting, there were concerns that the way Derrick Rose's body broke down under Thibodeau could be a warning precedent.
Brunson's usage dropped from 32.5 in 23-24 to 29.5 this past season with Karl-Anthony Towns playing a full season as the team's secondary offensive weapon after he shared playmaking duties with Julius Randle previously.
