Since signing Jalen Brunson in 2022, the New York Knicks have found their anchor. At 25, Brunson was fresh off a disappointment as the Mavericks couldn’t give him the desired extension, and when the Knicks offered a lucrative four-year, $104 million deal, Brunson decided to move to New York City.
Since arriving, he has transformed a directionless franchise into a legitimate Eastern Conference threat and brought a sense of hope to Madison Square Garden that hasn’t been missing for decades.
Brunson helped the Knicks end the 2026 regular season as the 3rd seed with a 53-29 record. However, as they pursue their first championship since 1973, a familiar debate has resurfaced: can a “small” guard be the best player on a title-winning team?
The NBA is often dominated by taller, more powerful players, and while Brunson has demonstrated his skill, former NBA champion Paul Pierce questions whether his physical stature can lead to a championship.
Paul Pierce Feels Jalen Brunson Is “Too Short” for NBA Championship
Before being drafted in the 2nd round as the 33rd overall by the Mavericks in 2018, Jalen Brunson built an impressive resume as a two-time NCAA champion and the 2018 Consensus National Player of the Year. In a league that often favors size, many remain skeptical about Brunson’s height.
Paul Pierce says in order for the Knicks to make a finals run, they need find a player that’s better than Jalen Brunson 👀
“Your best player can’t be 6’2. On a championship team. Tell me what championship teams player was the best player at 6’2? Just Steph. All time though. We… https://t.co/xosHchUSLj pic.twitter.com/mLIXOximqg
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) April 13, 2026
On the latest episode of the No Fouls Given podcast, HOFer Paul Pierce questioned whether the Knicks can reach the league’s final stretch with the 1.88 m (6’2”) Brunson as their primary playmaking option.
“Your best player can’t be 6’2. On a championship team. Tell me what championship teams player was the best player at 6’2? Just Steph. All time though. We have to go all time for these players. We have to go, Isaiah. We have to go, Steph. You know what I’m saying?” stated Paul Pierce on the ‘No Fouls Given’ show.
“Like Jalen Brunson is a great player, I wouldn’t consider him an all-time at 6’2. If your best player is 6’2, it’s going to be tough for you to win a championship. It’s just throughout history. I mean, you only can name two teams that had their best player were 6’2.”
Pierce’s argument is difficult to ignore. Beyond Stephen Curry’s Golden State dynasty and Isiah Thomas’ Pistons in 1989 and 1990, few short guards have led teams to titles. In late-game scenarios, when defenses get physical and the game slows down, size often dictates the hardwood.
Even legends like Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, and Chris Paul, who made it to the list of the all-time greats at their positions, struggled to overcome the physical advantages of larger superstars in a seven-game series.
Jalen Brunson’s Impact and $156.5 Million Investment
Despite the skepticism surrounding his height, Brunson’s loyalty and production with the New York Knicks have remained undeniable. After signing a team-friendly four-year, $156.5 million extension in 2024, leaving roughly $113 million on the table, Brunson gave the Knicks the salary cap flexibility to re-sign stars to build a contender team. He valued a championship team over the multiple zeroes in his account.
During the 2023-24 season, Brunson averaged a career-high of 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game, shooting 47.9% from the field and 40.1% from beyond the arc. He also earned his first All-Star nod and finished fourth on the list of top scorers. By finishing fifth in the NBA MVP voting, Brunson cemented himself as one of the finest point guards.
After turning down more than $100 million on his current contract, Brunson is eligible to sign a four-year, $323 million extension in 2028. If he waits until 2029, he can potentially sign a five-year, $418 million contract.
Can Jalen Brunson and the Knicks Rewrite History?
The collaboration between Jalen Brunson and the Knicks suggests that they might be closer to a title than Pierce can imagine. In the 2024 playoffs, Brunson unlocked a scoring ability that was rarely seen in the NBA’s postseason history.
While the debate over Brunson’s height persists, his performance and execution have answered many doubts. In four seasons with the Knicks, he has played 284 games (179-105) and averaged 26.3 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game, shooting 48.0% from the field and 39.0% from deep, outperforming his contract value.
If the Knicks succeed, Jalen Brunson will silence doubters for good and rewrite what is possible for undersized stars in the league.
