When the New York Knicks signed point guard Jalen Brunson during the 2022 NBA Offseason, many people panned the deal. They believed New York had overpaid, agreeing to a four-year, $104 million deal with the former second-round pick.
That deal has proven to be a steal as Brunson has turned into one of the best point guards in the NBA during his time in New York. He made his first All-Star Game this season, taking his game to another level after an incredible showing in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Brunson now has one of the most valuable contracts in the NBA, outperforming the deal and playing at a higher level than a lot of people who are getting paid more than him. However, the people who said the Knicks overpaid for him could still, technically, be right.
On a new episode of All The Smoke podcast coming out this week, Brunson is the show’s guest. One of the topics that was discussed was his leaving the Dallas Mavericks in free agency. Brunson revealed some news that is going to make Mavericks fans sick.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks Updates
He said that he never wanted to leave Dallas and approached them about signing an extension with the team. A four-year, $55 million deal was what he was seeking, but the Mavericks’ front office balked at the offer not once, but twice. The rest, as they say, is history.
“I really did want to stay in Dallas,” Brunson said. “I think before my fourth season in Dallas, my last season in Dallas, we tried to extend our contract. Whatever we can get, the most we can get was, like, 4 years and $55 million. We wanted to do that.
“I wanted to stay there. I thought I would be there for a long time, and I liked my role there. It’s funny because my agent was like, ‘I mean, you can do so much. You can do you can get more.’ I’m saying, like, ‘Well, I just I want to be safe. And I’m not trying to gamble right now. This is not something you can really gamble with if it’s out there.’
That is a massive blunder by the Mavericks front office, as Luka Doncic spoke about his former teammate before the NBA All-Star Break during an appearance on J.J. Redick’s podcast. Doncic revealed that he always knew Brunson had the potential to do what he is doing in New York and would become this level of player.
Evidently, the Mavericks weren’t convinced that Brunson could take his game to another level to elevate the team. Dallas is in a good spot now, as they eventually replaced Brunson’s role in the offense with Kyrie Irving.
But, knowing they could have had Brunson, for a fraction of the cost and not had to give up assets to obtain Irving from the Brooklyn Nets, has to hurt. Seeing Brunson turn into a star for the Knicks is something that will haunt the Mavericks for a long time, especially if they are unable to win a title with Doncic on the team.
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