Madison Square Garden always pulsed through Brandon Jennings’s dreams. “I wanted to go to the Knicks,” he admitted, reflecting on the dream that had lived in his heart long before his name was ever called on draft night. Even after landing with the Milwaukee Bucks and making an early splash in the league, he never shied away from the truth: “That [Milwaukee] wasn’t where I wanted to go first.” The bright lights, the energy, the legacy — it was always about New York and that $7.5 billion franchise. And eventually, he got to live that dream… even if it only lasted a year.
While playing for Detroit in a game against his former team in Milwaukee, Jennings suffered a devastating Achilles tear that brought his season to a crashing halt. With his career hanging in the balance, he pushed through a grueling six-month rehab. Needing stability at the point, coach Stan Van Gundy eventually had to make a roster move — and in 2016, Jennings was traded to the team he had always dreamed of: the New York Knicks.
Recently, GTV Hoops and Brandon Jennings took a little trip down memory lane on Instagram, revisiting his electric year with the Knicks. The post was packed with some iconic BJ highlights and proudly read, “Brandon Jennings was ELECTRIC as the backup point guard for the @nyknicks during the 2016-17 season!” It noted his averages—8.6 points and 4.9 assists per game, and even better when starting: 16.3 and 7.3. It was a love letter to that one unforgettable season in the Garden.
The real highlight came in the Instagram comments. Myles O’Neal — yes, Shaquille O’Neal’s stepson — jumped in with, “I can guard you.” Bold words, especially from someone more focused on DJ decks than defensive sets. Still, let’s be real… it wasn’t totally random. Jennings has been pretty vocal lately, going on Playback and declaring that “they’re not better than me,” referring to fellow 2009 draftees like Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague, and Ty Lawson. And his go-to argument? “I had 55 as a rookie—not even starting.” Legendary, sure… but a whole career? Not quite.
But Jennings didn’t let Myles’ comment fly under the radar either. He hit back quick: “noooooo you can’t.” Straight to the point — just like he was on the court. But all jokes aside, this was nothing serious. Given their tight friendship and history of trading playful jabs, it was just classic, good-natured banter between two guys who know how to keep things fun.
Why did Brandon Jennings and the Knicks part ways?
For Brandon Jennings, playing for the Knicks was the dream he’d been chasing since 2009. That was when New York passed on him for Jordan Hill. So when he finally signed a one-year, $5 million deal in 2016 to back up Derrick Rose, it felt like destiny. The Garden welcomed him with open arms. Fans chanted his name in his very first home preseason game, and coach Jeff Hornacek labeled him a “crowd favorite.” For a while, things clicked. The Knicks were sitting third in the East, Jennings was sparking off the bench, and was even being floated in Sixth Man of the Year conversations.
But that dream didn’t last. The system unraveled just as quickly as it came together. The offense shifted constantly, fast breaks one week, triangle the next, leaving Jennings feeling out of rhythm. “I wanted to play fast. I didn’t really understand the triangle,” he admitted to the Daily News. “I’m not saying it doesn’t work… I just felt like the way the game is being played today, you got to score. You got to get up shots.” Practices were just as chaotic. “Every day it was just something different,” he said. “There really wasn’t a lot of talking… It just kind of left itself blank.” Still, when it came time to part ways, it wasn’t bitter. Jennings wanted a playoff run, and the Knicks agreed.
Knicks coach Hornacek later told ESPN the decision to waive Jennings was mutual. Jennings was seeking more minutes: something New York couldn’t guarantee. “Maybe this gives him an opportunity to get somewhere where he can play some more minutes,” Hornacek said.
The Knicks used the open roster spot to sign guard Chasson Randle. Brandon Jennings would go on to join the Wizards shortly after. He left the Garden with gratitude, a few flashes of magic, and a strong belief that the Knicks should build around their young bigs: “That’s who they should build a team around,” he said of Porzingis and Hernangomez. “That’s just my personal opinion because they’re very young, they’re very good.”
Despite the sharp words, the exchange between Myles and Jennings was a reminder that friendly rivalry is part of the game—nothing serious, just some good-natured teasing.
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