Jalen Brunson has been a significant part of the New York Knicks’ rise. Looking at all the hoopla surrounding Brunson around the NBA Finals, he really seems like the most important piece of the puzzle for the Knicks.
During the five games in this year’s Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Brunson averaged a strong 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. In the clinching Game 5, he dropped 45 points, putting the team over the edge to win the NBA title and earning the NBA Finals MVP award.
So, the Knicks have Brunson, and that’s a beautiful thing. But, what if they could clone him and have two Brunsons? They obviously can’t, but there’s a player waiting in the wings who could step up and be a second Brunson for them. He will be playing for New York’s Summer League team, so people will have the chance to see him up close and get an idea of what he could bring to the Knicks.
Knicks Could Have Another Jalen Brunson on Their Hands
Ex-MSU Star Jaden Akins on Knicks’ Summer League Team
Keep an eye on Jaden Akins. Even after having standout performances with the Detroit Pistons’ G-League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, Akins wasn’t put on the team’s Summer League roster. However, the former Michigan State star gets another opportunity with the Knicks.
During his time with the Cruise, Akins averaged 14.7 points and 4.8 assists per game. He also shot 33.7% from 3-point range. Those are solid numbers, and he could be a real quality find for the Knicks. He could also fill some gaps that the team couldn’t fill through the NBA Draft.
Why Akins Could Follow Brunson’s Path
Don’t look now, but Akins could be another Brunson for the Knicks, eventually. Now, Brunson is not an easy player to copy. He’s a small, elite, high-scoring guard who brings smart decision-making, quick footwork and a fast pace to the game. There’s no way the Knicks will find an exact replica.
But there’s a case to be made for Akins to provide a Brunson double to let the Finals MVP rest a bit more. Looking at the Knicks’ Summer League roster, he stands out as a Brunson replica because he’s a true guard with experience running offense and creating shots, both for himself and his teammates.
Akins has a strong background in handling pressure from his time at Michigan State under legendary head coach Tom Izzo. Anyone who’s watched how Izzo operates knows that he puts the heat on his players. Akins has played in intense environments and also has G-League experience.
The 6’4″ guard can also attack closeouts and get downhill, which makes him more Brunson-like than the other players in Summer League. However, he’s not a perfect match. He’s more of a two-way combo guard than a pure shooter. He’s also not up to Brunson’s level, but that’s not expected at this point in his career.
Basically, Akins would need a good amount of offensive training to live up to Brunson. But, he has the tools and playing style to do it. At the very least, as the Knicks look ahead to 2026-27, New York should keep him as a potential high-quality backup point guard or secondary point creator. He has the goods to be both and is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
The Knicks kick off their NBA Summer League slate on Friday, July 10, in Las Vegas against the Brooklyn Nets. They’ll also take on the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors.
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