Analyst draws parallels between Brunson’s Knicks resurgence and Brees’ Saints legacy
Sports analyst Ty Schmit has linked the New York Knicks’ recent success to the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV victory, positing that Brunson’s departure from Dallas parallels Brees’ exit from San Diego.
Sports analyst Ty Schmit has drawn a direct comparison between New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, citing striking similarities in their career trajectories following departures from previous franchises. The analysis, shared via a post by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on 28 May 2026, highlights how both athletes revitalised their careers after leaving teams where they were overshadowed by established stars.
Brunson, who signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks after the Dallas Mavericks opted not to extend him, has emerged as a premier NBA guard. Schmit noted that Brunson’s exit from Dallas, where he played under the shadow of Luka Doncic, mirrors Brees’ departure from the San Diego Chargers in 2006. The Chargers had drafted Philip Rivers, leading to Brees’ move to New Orleans, where he eventually led the team to a Super Bowl XLIV victory.
The comparison underscores the Knicks’ current standing as they stand on the verge of breaking a 53-year championship drought. Brunson led New York to a 4-0 sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, following a previous series win against the Philadelphia 76ers. This success marks a significant redemption for the guard, who had previously failed to take the Knicks to the NBA Finals in the preceding season.
Schmit extended the analysis into a counterfactual scenario involving the Miami Dolphins. He speculated that if Brees had signed with Miami in 2006 instead of New Orleans, he might have secured a Super Bowl title there, remained in the NFL, and been declared a hero. This outcome, Schmit argued, could have prevented Alabama from hiring Nick Saban, thereby altering the landscape of college football and potentially denying the Crimson Tide their six national championships.
The divergence in paths for both athletes has left their former teams reflecting on past decisions. Dallas fans expressed dissatisfaction after the Mavericks failed to retain Brunson, now watching him thrive in New York. Similarly, the narrative around Brees highlights how a change in environment allowed him to transform a struggling franchise, a dynamic Schmit believes Brunson is currently replicating with the Knicks.
