During an interview with NBA reporter Joe Vardon of The Athletic, New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson talked about his relationship with Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic. Brunson and Doncic were teammates on the Mavericks for four NBA seasons.
“That’s my brother,” Brunson said of Doncic. “We got drafted together. I’ve been watching him grow since meeting him for the first time, seeing the player he is now. He’s gotten better and better each year to the point where he’s a top-five (NBA) player, an MVP candidate, year in and year out, so whenever I get a chance to share the court with him, either with him or against him, it’s always been special. I’ve got nothing but love for him.”
Brunson left the Mavericks last summer for the Knicks on a four-year, $104 million contract. Dallas failed to keep Brunson, who said he would have agreed to the four-year, $56 million contract extension he was eligible for in 2021-22.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has argued the franchise didn’t get the chance to negotiate with Brunson before the lefty left for the Knicks, but Dallas’ NBA valuation of Brunson was obviously lower than what Brunson and New York felt it was.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic, New York Knicks & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Without Brunson, the Mavericks missed the play-in tournament last season despite having Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Meanwhile, the Knicks got to the second round of the NBA playoffs, where they lost to the Miami Heat in six games.
Brunson is playing for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, while Doncic is playing for Slovenia. USA and Slovenia play against each other on August 12 in an exhibition game.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic, New York Knicks & Dallas Mavericks Updates
“We haven’t really talked about the game or playing against each other, but we talk every now and then, always try to check up on each other,” Brunson said. “I just know he’s a competitor. Everyone obviously knows what he’s capable of. … Obviously when we’re playing and we aren’t teammates, we aren’t friends, but off the court, it’s (a) special (relationship).”
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