Kendrick Perkins says Jalen Brunson belongs in conversation for NBA’s best point guard right now

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is enjoying the best season of his NBA career, and he’s catching the attention of the basketball world in the process.

In the eyes of ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, Brunson belongs in the conversation for the best point guard in the NBA right now.

“We might as well put him in the conversation (as) far as being the best point guard in the league right now,” Perkins said. “Now, it’s fluid with me on a month-to-month basis, but as we talkin’ ’bout today, game changer and game manager, I don’t know nobody else that’s doin’ it.”

Brunson just earned the first All-Star nod of his NBA career, and with the way he’s playing, there may be many more accolades in his future.

The 27-year-old is averaging 27.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game this season while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.

He has the Knicks in the mix for a top seed in the Eastern Conference, as the squad is currently in third place with a 32-17 record. New York has won nine games in a row.

On Thursday, Brunson had a phenomenal game in a win over the Indiana Pacers, scoring 40 points while shooting 15-for-30 from the floor. It was his latest masterpiece amid a remarkable individual stretch.

In the middle of January, Brunson was sidelined for two games. Since returning, he has made nine appearances and averaged 32.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game on 52.5 percent shooting from the field and 39.0 percent shooting from distance. The Knicks have gone 9-0 during the stretch.

Brunson’s recent play has clearly caught the attention of Perkins, who is ready to give the Knicks star his flowers. It’s certainly worth noting, however, that the point guard position is loaded with talent across the NBA, so Brunson has plenty of competition to deal with if he wants to be crowned the best of the best at the position.

For now, he’s likely more focused on keeping things rolling for the Knicks, who will be in action again on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

New York won a playoff series last season before fizzling out in the second round. A deeper run this season would give the city plenty to be excited about.