Jalen Brunson Still Expected To Re-Sign With Dallas Mavericks

Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

Jalen Brunson’s free agency status has been a hot-button issue this NBA offseason, both around the league and within the Dallas Mavericks organization. Several different teams were rumored to have significant interest in acquiring the Villanova product to be one of their lead ballhandlers.

According to Jake Fischer from Bleacher Report, the New York Knicks are well aware that the Dallas Mavericks are favorited to retain their incumbent free agent guard but that hasn’t stopped New York from putting their best foot forward.

“In forecasting their offseason dealings, the Knicks are said to be targeting roughly $25 million in room to be able to chase Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson, and they are expected to find new homes for Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel, among other moves.

“Even if New York pivoted away from Brunson, who league personnel widely believe will return to Dallas, the Knicks would have a large gap to meet Irving’s contractual wishes.”

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The Detroit Pistons were allegedly excited in pairing Brunson with Cade Cunningham, and the Indiana Pacers showed intrigue in prying him away from the Mavs to form a young backcourt tandem with Tyrese Haliburton. No team has been more eager to poach him from Dallas than the New York Knicks, however.

The first part of New York’s pitch involved a bit of nepotism, as they hired Jalen’s father, Rick Brunson, to be an assistant coach on Tom Thibodeau’s bench. Now that they’ve established family ties in the Big Apple, the New York Knicks are looking to clear up $25 million in cap space to offer the former New Jersey resident.

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While they’ve certainly put together an impressive game plan to pursue Brunson this summer, it could be all for naught. For what it’s worth, New York doesn’t seem to be deflated in any sense in their pursuit of Brunson, and stranger things have happened before.

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