One player that a lot of people are going to have their eyes on this NBA offseason is Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson. Dallas will do everything they can to retain him this summer, but he has made quite a market for himself with his performance on the court.
Brunson had the best season of his career, averaging 16.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 31.9 minutes per game. He made 50.2 percent of his shots overall and connected on 37.3 percent of his attempts from 3-point range. The 84 percent that he shot from the free-throw line is also a career-high.
The No. 33 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft signed a unique contract, as the final season of his rookie deal was non-guaranteed, not an option. As a result, he will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, not a restricted one. That means the Mavericks will lose out on the chance to match any offer sheet that he may sign.
Those offer sheets will be quite pricey as Brunson has only improved his stock during the postseason. He is averaging 23.6 points per game, grabbing 4.8 rebounds and handing out 3.8 assists. Brunson was excellent for the Mavericks in the first three games of their first-round series against the Utah Jazz that Luka Doncic missed because of injury, helping his team get out to a 2-1 lead.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mavericks’ Jalen Brunson At Risk Of Free Agency Stock Tumbling vs. Suns?
There are going to be plenty of suitors for Jalen Brunson this offseason. The New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons are two teams that have already been connected to him other than the Dallas Mavericks. Bleacher Report believes the Washington Wizards are a surprise landing spot for him as well.
Washington desperately needs to find a point guard this offseason. Ish Smith is the only point guard currently under contract on the roster, but his contract is non-guaranteed so he could be waived to help the team save some money.
However, the Wizards do not possess the cap space necessary to sign Brunson, as he is expected to sign a deal that pays at least $20 million annually. A sign-and-trade would have to be worked out with Dallas if they want Brunson.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mavericks’ Jalen Brunson At Risk Of Free Agency Stock Tumbling vs. Suns?
These two front offices have experience working together, as they made a deal before the deadline that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Washington, along with a second-round pick, with Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans heading to Dallas. Some other scenarios could have been discussed during those negotiations.
The Wizards have some intriguing pieces that could be of interest to the Mavericks in exchange for Brunson. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Rui Hachimura, and Deni Avdija would all be on the table in trade talks.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mavericks’ Jalen Brunson At Risk Of Free Agency Stock Tumbling vs. Suns?
Landing Jalen Brunson would certainly be a big upgrade for the Washington Wizards’ backcourt. The Dallas Mavericks will reportedly not help facilitate a sign-and-trade deal, so the chances of Brunson landing in Washington are slim, but the pieces are certainly there for a deal to be made.
