There are going to be a few players that cash in during NBA free agency this summer. One of the players that stand to see the largest increase in their annual pay is Dallas Mavericks point guard, Jalen Brunson.
Brunson was the No. 33 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the third selection of the second round. Normally, players will be restricted free agents because the final year of the contract will be an option. But, because Brunson’s final season was non-guaranteed, not an option, he will be an unrestricted free agent.
That means the Mavericks will not have the opportunity to match any offer sheet that Brunson may sign. It puts them in a tough predicament because Dallas won’t have the cap space available to find a replacement of Brunson’s caliber should he opt to sign elsewhere.
There are rumors that Dallas won’t help facilitate a sign-and-trade deal for Brunson, but that seems short-sighted on their part.
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If Brunson lets them know that he would like to leave, they should maximize the opportunity by bringing back whatever they can in a sign-and-trade deal, whether it is draft capital or players to fill out the rotation.
Brunson was a popular name on the rumor mill heading into the trade deadline and will assuredly be courted in free agency as well. The New York Knicks have been linked to him a lot, as have the Detroit Pistons.
Which other teams could show an interest in Brunson, especially as a sign-and-trade option? Here are two dark horse destinations for the Villanova product to end up this offseason.
