According to reports, the New York Knicks have confirmed their interest in Dallas Mavericks’ Jalen Brunson, and the 25-year-old has agreed to a four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks. Brunson is expected to sign as a free agent during the postseason before the start of the 2022-2023 NBA season.
From the Mavs’ internal, the departure will potentially happen after Brunson declined to re-sign for a four-year, $55.5 million contract. According to sources, Brunson has reportedly earned the right to sign up for Knicks from the Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. The owner said he would accept it since it is the player’s own choice.
Mark Cuban statement
The 63-year-old businessman said that he gave Brunson the ‘right’ to choose his future. He said that Brunson can make his own choice. At last, Cuban stated that he wished Brunson the best by making his decision in this free agency time, according to The Post from NBA Summer League 2023.
“Jalen earned the right to do that,” he said.
“NBA teams always say, well, it’s a business when you trade somebody or whatever, and it’s a business,” he said. “He earned the right to make a decision as a free agent. So he made the choice. More power to him. I wish him nothing but the best.”
Moreover, Cuban said that the franchise wanted to keep him and play for the Mavs roster next season. Therefore, New York had an agreement with the guard. Also, he added that Brunson is a great player and would be a good addition to the Knicks.
“The Knicks will love him; the city will love him. The thing about Jalen, you give him a task and tell him where to improve his game, and he’ll work his ass off to do it. You guys got a good one,” Cuban said.
Before Brunson’s movement, Cuban was asked by sources about the potential tampering by the Knicks. Then, he responded positively.
“That’s up to the NBA, that’s not my job” he said.
He also stated that he had no issues with Knicks executives William Wesley and Allan Houston, particularly in light of the recent episode that caught the attention of all fans, in which NY Knicks forward Julius Randle attended an opening-round playoff game between the Mavericks and the Jazz. He made no mention of Randle’s presence at that game.
“Oh, I don’t care. They can buy tickets,” Cuban said. “Being at a playoff game doesn’t change anything.”
Reactions to Brunson’s decision
For the past season, Brunson played regularly with the Mavericks after getting selected in the second round in 2018. The 25-year-old guard averaged 16.3 points and 4.8 assists to lead the Mavericks to the Western Conference final last season. Mavericks’ head coach, Jason Kidd told ESPN that the player is irreplaceable for the team.
“We can’t replace Brunson. He’s a great player,” he said.
“I’m happy for him and his family, signing a deal in New York. It’s well deserved. We wanted him back, but he picked New York.”
Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, who will be one of the Knicks coaches, said to ESPN that the Mavericks will still count on Luka Doncic despite his son playing great in Dallas.
“It’s a great fit [in Dallas],” he said, “but, at the end of the day, my son is no different than the next man… Everyone wants what Luka has. I don’t care who you are.”
He also said that his son could be a great fit under Tom Thibodeau’s plan next season. Additionally, he stated that his son will start after last season’s performance and can contribute to New York. In Knicks, Brunson will play together with Randle, RJ Barrett, Derrick Rose, and Obi Toppin.