Was Jalen Brunson the greatest FA signing of all time?

Ryoga Hibiki · Post #1 » by **Ryoga Hibiki** » Sat May 17, 2025 5:46 am

Not saying the best player to be signed as a FA (that would be LeBron or Shaq). But those are just recruiting jobs of MVP level guys, while paying them everything you can. Maybe good execution, but it's 90% their decision.
The Knicks identified a guy who was coming off the bench, recruited him for months, cleared the cap to make him an offer that was considered an overpay by many at the time, and then he became a borderline MVP level guy and the best contract in the league.
In my 30 years following the NBA I can't think of anything close to that.

Castle Black · Post #2 » by **Castle Black** » Sat May 17, 2025 5:54 am

Heat signing Lebron and Warriors signing KD prob take the cake there.

But yes, obv Brunson has had a massive impact on the Knicks organization already. Now let's see how far he can lead 'em.

RB34 · Post #3 » by **RB34** » Sat May 17, 2025 5:55 am

cgf · Post #4 » by **cgf** » Sat May 17, 2025 5:56 am

Randle was a great FA signing for us too; from 6th man in NOLA to multiple All-NBA appearances and leading the team to it’s first playoff berth in ages.

DiVincenzo & Hartenstein, were great FA signings for us as well, come to think of it.

Dominator83 · Post #5 » by **Dominator83** » Sat May 17, 2025 6:05 am

People didn't read the OP

Dominator83 · Post #6 » by **Dominator83** » Sat May 17, 2025 6:10 am

I would put Raptors Kyle Lowry up there too

Marvin Martian · Post #7 » by **Marvin Martian** » Sat May 17, 2025 6:16 am

Steve Nash?

kodo · Post #8 » by **kodo** » Sat May 17, 2025 6:20 am

I'd say Chauncey Billups, because it actually resulted in a championship and an impressive 64 win season.

gavran · Post #9 » by **gavran** » Sat May 17, 2025 6:22 am

Dominator83 wrote:People didn't read the OP

They usually don't.

LethalRangee · Post #10 » by **LethalRangee** » Sat May 17, 2025 6:35 am

Ryoga Hibiki wrote:Not saying the best player to be signed as a FA (that would be LeBron or Shaq). But those are just recruiting jobs of MVP level guys, while paying them everything you can. Maybe good execution, but it's 90% their decision.
The Knicks identified a guy who was coming off the bench, recruited him for months, cleared the cap to make him an offer that was considered an overpay by many at the time, and then he became a borderline MVP level guy and the best contract in the league.
In my 30 years following the NBA I can't think of anything close to that.

I think the idea of who JB could become was cemented by his performance vs the Jazz in 22 with Luka's injury. Not really surprised because he's an undersized guard with not great defense (though he tries his best), but it's interesting that no one outside of the Knicks gave him an offer.

Shame on DAL for throwing away Nash, Brunson and Doncic for free or pennies on the dollar.

To answer your question, I'd say it's between Brunson and Nash, which is crazy considering that Nash is JB's idol growing up.

doogie_hauser · Post #11 » by **doogie_hauser** » Sat May 17, 2025 6:40 am

Still think it was Shaq to Lakers in 1996.

He and Kobe made the Lakeshow a truly global franchise and left an such a legacy that LeBron and other superstars like Luka now want to emulate

Really annoys me as a Celtics fan, but the Lakers were in danger of following the Celtics downfall after 1986 before they signed Shaq.

Biff · Post #12 » by **Biff** » Sat May 17, 2025 6:42 am

Either Brunson or Nash. Kinda funny they both came from the Mavs.

Ryoga Hibiki · Post #13 » by **Ryoga Hibiki** » Sat May 17, 2025 7:00 am

Marvin Martian wrote:Steve Nash?

yes, I forgot him.
maybe because I was alrrady super high on Nash

Oscirus · Post #14 » by **Oscirus** » Sat May 17, 2025 7:01 am

randle was probably the better signing IMO. He put the knicks on the map, esp after they struck out in the KD sweepstakes. If he doesn't make the knicks attractive, Brunson likely doesn't come here

Narigo · Post #15 » by **Narigo** » Sat May 17, 2025 7:17 am

Chauncey Billups or Steve Nash. Both of these guys were not thought to be that good when they signed to Detroit or Phoenix respectively

Mr B · Post #16 » by **Mr B** » Sat May 17, 2025 7:27 am

LethalRangee wrote:
Ryoga Hibiki wrote:Not saying the best player to be signed as a FA (that would be LeBron or Shaq). But those are just recruiting jobs of MVP level guys, while paying them everything you can. Maybe good execution, but it's 90% their decision.
The Knicks identified a guy who was coming off the bench, recruited him for months, cleared the cap to make him an offer that was considered an overpay by many at the time, and then he became a borderline MVP level guy and the best contract in the league.
In my 30 years following the NBA I can't think of anything close to that.

I think the idea of who JB could become was cemented by his performance vs the Jazz in 22 with Luka's injury. Not really surprised because he's an undersized guard with not great defense (though he tries his best), but it's interesting that no one outside of the Knicks gave him an offer.

Shame on DAL for throwing away Nash, Brunson and Doncic for free or pennies on the dollar.

To answer your question, I'd say it's between Brunson and Nash, which is crazy considering that Nash is JB's idol growing up.

And 23 year old Jason Kidd

Mr B · Post #17 » by **Mr B** » Sat May 17, 2025 7:30 am

doogie_hauser wrote:Still think it was Shaq to Lakers in 1996.

He and Kobe made the Lakeshow a truly global franchise and left an such a legacy that LeBron and other superstars like Luka now want to emulate

Really annoys me as a Celtics fan, but the Lakers were in danger of following the Celtics downfall after 1986 before they signed Shaq.

It’s either Shaq to the Lakers or Labron to Miami. Both were huge spectacles and both resulted in multiple championships.

Post #18 » by **Mavrelous** » Sat May 17, 2025 7:35 am

Still Nash, but Brunson is getting close.

Post #19 » by **HMFFL** » Sat May 17, 2025 7:57 am

Kevin Durant
Two time Finals MVP

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app

LethalRangee · Post #20 » by **LethalRangee** » Sat May 17, 2025 8:06 am

Ryoga Hibiki wrote:Not saying the best player to be signed as a FA (that would be LeBron or Shaq). But those are just recruiting jobs of MVP level guys, while paying them everything you can. Maybe good execution, but it's 90% their decision.

Read the OP, people.