The reigning National Player of the Year is one of the steadiest hands in the draft, seldom making careless mistakes with the ball. He doesn’t have elite athleticism, but is a knockdown shooter who can break down defenders with shifty ball handling and change of pace.
For competitive teams looking for an immediate contributor, Brunson makes sense. He spent his college career in a pro-style offense at Villanova, while his basketball I.Q. and feel for the game exceeds the vast majority of rookies.
As somebody who can spend time both on and off the ball, Brunson brings nice versatility on the offensive end. His measurables limit his defensive ceiling, but he competes hard on that side of the ball. He’s a ready-made NBA backup.