There are a few players that will be looking to cash in during free agency in the NBA this summer. One player that could be looking at the biggest raise is point guard Jalen Brunson.
Brunson was a second-round pick of the Dallas Mavericks out of Villanova in 2018. Normally, second-round picks will sign a deal with some seasons having an option, but Brunson signed a straight four-year deal with a non-guaranteed fourth season, not a team option.
As a result, he will now be an unrestricted free agent this summer. That means the Mavericks will not have the opportunity to match any offer sheet that he should sign as they would be able to do had he become a restricted free agent.
The one thing working in Dallas’s favor, however, is that there aren’t many teams projected to have cap space this offseason. So, a sign-and-trade will likely have to be executed by anyone looking to bring on Brunson. In that scenario, the Mavericks will at least get something of value in return instead of losing him for nothing.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dallas Mavericks Turned Down Chance To Sign Jalen Brunson To Contract?
Despite the lack of available money, Brunson is expected to cash in this offseason. After earning $6.11 million on his rookie contract, he will earn that in a few months on his new deal. According to NBA executives around the league, Brunson is going to break the bank this offseason.
“NBA pro personnel scouts and executives polled by ESPN for this story anticipate that the floor for Brunson’s next contract will be an average annual salary of $20 million. The high end of the estimates range around $25 million per year.
“He’s going to make a lot of money,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said after Brunson led Dallas to a Game 2 win with a career-best 41 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and zero turnovers. “I don’t know if he needs an agent, but I’m gonna put my name in the hat.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dallas Mavericks Turned Down Chance To Sign Jalen Brunson To Contract?
Coming into the season, Brunson asking for a price like that would be met with some skepticism. However, given how he has performed this season whenever Luka Doncic wasn’t in the lineup, Brunson has earned that raise.
Brunson was masterful in the first three games of their series against the Utah Jazz when Doncic was sidelined with a calf strain. He excelled during the regular season as well when filling in for the star guard in the lineup, eventually moving into a starting backcourt role alongside him.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dallas Mavericks Turned Down Chance To Sign Jalen Brunson To Contract?
The Dallas Mavericks would assuredly love to keep Jalen Brunson around as he turned into a key piece of their rotation. However, they will certainly face some competition for him this offseason as he is by far the best point guard option that will be available, outside of Kyrie Irving declining his player option and testing the market.
