Could Jalen Brunson Sneak Away with the Most Surprising NBA Award This Season?

So, here we are again, staring down a new NBA season with the New York Knicks—and Jalen Brunson—ready to shake things up in ways that might just surprise everyone. Ever wonder if the guy who quietly slipped to 10th in MVP voting could be the dark horse charging straight for the top spot? There’s a buzz around Madison Square Garden that this 2025-26 campaign isn’t just another run-of-the-mill season—it feels like the season where Brunson steps out of the shadows and into pure stardom. With the Knicks aiming to capitalize on some big changes in the Eastern Conference, the question isn’t if Brunson will excel, but rather, how spectacular his ascent will be. Buckle up, because this might just be the year Jalen Brunson flips the script and convinces the basketball world that he’s not just clutch—he’s MVP material.

Indiana Pacers v New York Knicks - Game Five — (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks are promising big things for 2025-26.

They feel that now is the perfect time to surge in the Eastern Conference, and they believe a championship could be in reach.

As for Brunson, this could be the year that he becomes the league’s MVP.

Writing for Bleacher Report, Dan Favale talked about Brunson’s chances of becoming the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.

He believes that Brunson will get a lot of attention, especially if the Knicks are more consistent in the new season.

“Brunson slipped from fifth in MVP voting for 2023-24 to 10th in 2024-25. That’s the perils of playing alongside another All-NBA talent (Karl-Anthony Towns) and on a maddeningly frustrating team. The Knicks should be good enough to keep Brunson within MVP striking distance. His stock will go through the roof if he remains among the 10 to 15 best players while headlining what should be a more egalitarian/variable offense under head coach Mike Brown,” Favale wrote.

Brunson averaged 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists last season and was tenth in the running for MVP.

He also earned an All-Star appearance as well as a spot on an All-NBA team.

Additionally, Brunson was crowned Clutch Player of the Year.

But he could do even more in 2025-26, and all eyes will be on him.

Along with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Knicks are viewed as a team that could take advantage of the losses of Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton.

They might have the clearest path to the Finals, and if they go that far, it’ll be because Brunson is having another terrific year.

The competition for MVP is going to be fierce, but this could be the season that Brunson rises above the rest.

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