Jalen Brunson is having a stellar season with the New York Knicks, averaging 27.6 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. He is an All-Star, a Most Improved Player candidate, and a leader of one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. But he could have been all that for the Dallas Mavericks, the team that drafted him in 2018 and watched him grow into a star.
Brunson recently revealed on the “All The Smoke” podcast that he wanted to stay in Dallas and tried to negotiate a contract extension with the Mavericks twice before he became a free agent in 2022. However, the Mavericks declined to offer him the four-year, $55 million deal that he was seeking, hoping to keep their options open for other moves. Brunson said he felt disrespected and hurt by the Mavericks’ lack of interest, and decided to test the market in the summer.
That’s when the Knicks came calling, offering him a four-year, $104 million contract that he couldn’t refuse. Brunson said he was impressed by the Knicks’ culture, coaching, and roster, and felt that they valued him more than the Mavericks did. He also said he never heard from the Mavericks during the free agency period, which confirmed his decision to leave.
The Mavericks’ loss has been the Knicks’ gain, as Brunson has become one of the best point guards in the league and a perfect fit for Tom Thibodeau’s system. He has formed a dynamic duo with Julius Randle, and has helped the Knicks become a legitimate contender in the East. He has also improved his shooting, playmaking, and defense, and has shown clutch ability in big games.
Brunson’s departure is one of the biggest mistakes the Mavericks have made in recent years, and one that they will regret for a long time. The All-Star has more than proven that he is worth a lot much more than the $55 million he asked for, and that he is a star in his own right. He has also shown that he is loyal, hard-working, and humble, and that he deserved more respect from the Mavericks. He has found a new home in New York, where he is appreciated and celebrated, and where he has a bright future ahead of him.
