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- The New York Knicks have been heavily linked to pending free agent guard Jalen Brunson.
- New York has also recently been linked to Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving.
- Given the choice between the two on Monday, Knicks fans made their feelings clear.
For months, the New York Knicks have been considered one of the front runners to land free agent guard Jalen Bruson should he leave the Dallas Mavericks.
In fact, the Knicks are so infatuated by Brunson that they may have structured their entire NBA Draft around his pursuit.
But what if Bruson re-signs with the Mavs? Then what?
Could New York be tempted to explore options for another star guard? Maybe even one that plays just a handful of miles away? The Knicks could very well turn out to be suitors for Brooklyn Nets malcontent Kyrie Irving if a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic is to be believed.
The Nets have officially given Irving the okay to seek a sign and trade deal. Though New York may not actually be interested. In fact, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Lakers are the only team currently pursuing a sign-and-trade deal for Irving.
ESPN Sources: Outside of the Lakers, there are currently no known teams planning pursuit of sign-and-trades for Nets G Kyrie Irving. No sign-and-trades can be formally discussed until after 6 PM on Thursday. Brooklyn isn't believed to have interest in available Lakers packages.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2022
In addition to the organization seemingly not pursuing Irving, it appears fans don’t want him either. FoxSports NBA writer Yaron Weitzman put out the following poll on the Twitter.
Knicks fans, if the options are Kyrie on a 4-year max or Brunson on a 4-year max, which do you prefer?
— Yaron Weitzman (@YaronWeitzman) June 27, 2022
The results thus far seem clear, with 58 percent of respondents choosing Brunson as of Monday afternoon.
id rather have brunson on a supermax https://t.co/qSoL8WQzxa
— tone🗽 (@TonySinn) June 27, 2022
Let me rephrase
Do you prefer a 25yo rising star with insatiable appetite for hard work & winning VS a 30yo condescending pseudo intellectual diva with repulsive personality, penchant for alienating teammates and proneness for spewing vacuous statements degrading fans and media? https://t.co/JvOD1O1P37— JohnnyBK (@JohnyboyNYC) June 27, 2022
Not the guy who’s ruined the last couple teams he’s been on https://t.co/4kau7avmud
— sam 🫥 (@fbl_sam) June 27, 2022
Though not everyone was convinced. Some were amazed that Irving wasn’t the clear choice.
Y’all not deadass comparing Kyrie Irving to Jalen Brunson. I know that’s not what I’m reading. https://t.co/BWsegxmDot
— Lulu the Buxom Enchantress (@Lil_liteskin) June 27, 2022
Kyrie without hesitation https://t.co/8hq24y4pVz
— Zay✨ (@ZAYYYTHEGOAT) June 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/toakins82423/status/1541484764095565828?s=20&t=P3_FPZ2JnzUCl3oVG1hRCg
kyrie a walking 27 on 50-40-90 but ofc yall want brunson like ok https://t.co/oFAlOuMa4r
— ➰ (@fuckkjle) June 27, 2022
Regardless of where he ends up, Irving continues to be one of the league’s most polarizing figures.