Mavericks Owner Ready To Break The Bank To Re-Sign Jalen Brunson

Dallas Mavericks, Jalen Brunson, NBA Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The Dallas Mavericks have begun their offseason preparations now that they have been eliminated from the 2022 NBA Postseason. Dallas met their makers in the form of the Golden State Warriors, who defeated them in five games.

While it is certainly disappointing to get eliminated at any point in the playoffs, Dallas has to feel good about the strides they made this season. Things went about as well as the organization could have hoped that they would in the first season under general manager Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd. 

They won their first series since winning the NBA Finals in 2011, defeating the Utah Jazz and No. 1 seeded Phoenix Suns in the process. Luka Doncic continued playing at an MVP level and his teammates stepped up around him, leading to a ton of success on both ends of the court.

Now, it is time for Harrison to work his magic again and continue upgrading the roster around his perennial MVP candidate. The Dallas Mavericks are building a system and this offseason they will look to identify players that can help elevate them even more.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Exec Sees Mavericks As Title Threat If They Make This Move

But, their biggest task this offseason will actually be retaining one of their own free agents in Jalen Brunson. The No. 33 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft is hitting unrestricted free agency this summer and is expected to draw a lot of interest from teams around the league.

Analysts are projecting the Villanova product to land a contract that pays him at least $20 million annually, with the most optimistic projections being in the $25 million range. No matter how high the bidding goes, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban sounds like he is willing to meet it.

Brunson has become a key cog in the lineup for Dallas. He stepped into the starting lineup for Luka Doncic throughout the regular season when he was sidelined and eventually stuck as his running mate in the backcourt. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Exec Sees Mavericks As Title Threat If They Make This Move

When Luka Doncic was injured leading into the postseason, it was Brunson who stepped up, helping the Dallas Mavericks earn a 2-1 lead over the Jazz in their first-round matchup before Doncic returned to the lineup. With each basket, Brunson was adding more money toward his future earnings.

The New York Knicks are one team that has been heavily linked to Brunson, as he has a lot of ties to the organization. His father, Rick Brunson, played with the Knicks during his time in the NBA. Rick also has a relationship with Leon Rose and Tom Thibodeau, the team’s president and head coach.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Exec Sees Mavericks As Title Threat If They Make This Move

The Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards are two more teams to keep an eye on in the Jalen Brunson sweepstakes. If Dallas changes their stance on making a sign-and-trade deal, his market could expand even more.

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