The Mavs actually had Brunson and Dinwiddie, but let's just leave it at Brunson for the sake of argument. The Mavs had what now appears to be a really good core around Luka a few years ago, but I guess they didn't want to pay Brunson. After a series of trades, they ended up with Kyrie Irving.
The team looks good right now and Kyrie looks like he has accepted being Robin. Come playoff time, having a guy like Kyrie is going to be very valuable. He has experience and can take over games, especially when doncic is cold.
On the other hand, Brunson has been playing really well and looks good leading the Knicks offense alongside a cold-shooting Julius randle. I'm not sure that Brunson would be content ball watching on the Mavs and waiting for his turn like he would be on the Mavs.
My main argument for Brunson is that he is on his way up while Kyrie is on his way down. Kyrie, on the other hand, has been one of the best iso scorers in the league for a decade and seems to have accepted a backseat role.
Who would the Mavs rather have?
Kyrie in a Cleveland type role with no drama is probably the ideal 2nd option. Add in the other pieces the mavs have and it’s much better than the mavs with brunson
You’re also forgetting the Assets the Mav’s used to get Kyrie West.
Mav’s could have had Brunson on a significantly cheaper deal while still having Dinwiddie, DFS, their Unprotected 2029 1st and 2-2nd’s to use on another Trade.
So it’s Kyrie West vs Brunson, Dinwiddie, DFS, an Unprotected 2029 1st and 2-2nd’s.
No that's not the question. The question is which player would you rather have on that team. Period.