Shortly after the Mavericks` 2021-22 season ended, team owner Mark Cuban suggested that re-signing Jalen Brunson was almost guaranteed. He mentioned “obviously after re-signing JB” while talking about offseason plans. Throughout the playoffs, as Brunson`s free agency value increased, Cuban kept telling reporters that the Mavs had Brunson`s Bird rights. This meant they could go over the salary cap to re-sign him, offer bigger raises, and a longer contract than other teams.
“We can pay him more than anyone,” Cuban stated when specifically asked about Brunson. “I believe he wants to stay, and that’s the most important thing.”
Brunson was surprised by Cuban`s comments when he saw them on social media. He had avoided talking about his contract during the season, even though coach Jason Kidd often said his goal was to “get Brunson paid.” Brunson`s value grew during the playoffs, especially when he played well while Luka Dončić was injured, proving he was a strong second option for a team that reached the Western Conference Finals. When Brunson saw Cuban`s remarks, he hoped it meant a significant contract offer was coming, showing real commitment to him after the Mavs had previously considered trading him.
“Hey, JB is about to get paid,” Dorian Finney-Smith announced to the media that night before Brunson spoke. Brunson remained cautious, saying he was focused on playing with his teammates and enjoying their achievements, and would think about free agency later.
“He’s so boring to interview,” Jalen’s father, Rick Brunson, joked the month before, crediting his son`s college coach. “He learned that from Jay Wright. You ask him a question, and it’s the same, simple answers. It’s a Villanova thing. Jay Wright trained him. He didn’t get that from me.”
Rick Brunson, who played for eight NBA teams over nine years, made these comments in a hallway at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City after the Mavs` Game 3 win against the Jazz. Players and staff passing by laughed at the sight of Rick Brunson talking to a reporter. Some joked, “Uh-oh.”
Jalen was having a breakout playoff series, leading the Mavs to a 2-1 lead against the Jazz while Dončić was injured. Rick Brunson wanted to share the family’s perspective. Jalen didn`t want to discuss free agency, but his dad was ready to make their position clear.
“We need to know if Dallas really wants him. Not just words,” Rick Brunson said. “No discounts. Don’t just say you love me. Show me.”
The Brunsons felt unappreciated the previous summer. Jalen, who had finished fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting, could sign a four-year extension worth up to $55.5 million. It was a fair deal for a 24-year-old who had proven himself as a valuable player, had a good relationship with Luka Dončić, and was known for his positive attitude. The Brunsons expected the Mavs to offer the extension and planned to accept it. They were excited about Jalen having the security of a guaranteed contract, something his father never had. They even looked at houses in Dallas, hoping Jalen could get a yard for his dog.
Father and son discussed the expected extension while vacationing in Jamaica. They decided they would even accept slightly less than the maximum if the Mavs negotiated. $50 million was a good number for them. “I gave them a discount!” Rick Brunson later said.
However, the Mavericks, through Brunson’s agents, indicated they weren`t ready to commit. “When I got the call – [the Mavs said], ‘We really want to think about it’ – it ruined my vacation,” Rick Brunson complained.
The Mavs explained they had just made major organizational changes, hiring a new coach and GM, and wanted time to assess the team. They wanted to wait until training camp in September. When September came, they still didn’t offer the extension.
Several factors influenced the Mavs’ hesitation. With limited assets, Brunson might have been needed in a trade for another star to play with Dončić. If Brunson extended his contract, he couldn’t be traded before the season`s trade deadline. Cuban was also concerned about increasing the team`s payroll and luxury tax payments. He had avoided the luxury tax since their 2011 championship and wanted to limit costs, especially with Dončić’s expensive contract coming. Cuban also underestimated Brunson`s market value, believing the best offer he might get in free agency was around $45.1 million over four years.
Rick Brunson stated that they wouldn`t discuss contracts during the season if an extension wasn`t offered before the October 21st season opener. However, the Brunsons reconsidered. In early January, after Brunson had played well while Dončić was out and became a starting player, they told the Mavs they would accept the extension then.
“They ignored it,” Rick Brunson said. “They had every right to. I don’t blame them for their business decisions. That’s on them.”
Rumors began to circulate about Brunson potentially joining the Knicks in free agency, even though they would need to clear cap space. Brunson was an unrestricted free agent because of a contract detail negotiated by his first agent, a mistake by Donnie Nelson and Cuban. That agent was Leon Rose, Brunson’s godfather and now the Knicks’ president.
The Brunsons had strong ties to the Knicks. New York coach Tom Thibodeau had known Jalen since birth. Thibodeau and Rick Brunson`s relationship went back to Rick`s high school days. Thibodeau had coached Rick in various roles throughout his career. Sam Rose, Brunson`s agent and lifelong friend, is Leon’s son.
“I think this New York thing is too connected to his family to overcome,” Mavs GM Nico Harrison texted Cuban in February.
However, the Mavs didn`t trade Brunson before the February trade deadline, even after inquiries from New York. Dallas considered trading Tim Hardaway Jr.’s contract to create cap space for a larger offer to Brunson. Brunson’s agents indicated he would accept a five-year, $87 million deal. But Dallas didn’t trade Hardaway and instead offered Brunson the original four-year, $55.5 million extension. Finney-Smith accepted his similar extension, but Brunson declined, feeling he was worth more.
“That was a very short conversation,” Rick Brunson said. “I heard it was like, ‘You guys wouldn’t be interested in that deal now, would you?’ That’s how it was put to me. I just laughed.”
Brunson continued to play well, increasing his value. His performance as the primary playmaker against the Jazz showed his ability in important situations. But Brunson was also comfortable as Dončić’s teammate, a role he earned over time as the Mavs acquired other guards who reduced his playing time.
The Mavs faced challenges in finding a co-star for Dončić. They had fewer trade assets after the Kristaps Porziņģis trade, and Dončić`s dominance might deter other stars. But Brunson, a low-maintenance player who didn`t mind playing alongside Dončić, could have been the answer.
“The main challenge is probably ego,” Brunson said during the conference finals. “When someone has the ball a lot, others can get frustrated. People want the ball or rhythm. I learned to play without needing a rhythm.”
“It’s Luka Dončić. That’s not changing. This team will build around him. I’ve learned to fit in, to be successful in my role. My dad said it’s how it is. Some players have that aura, and things revolve around them – rightfully so. I’ve learned to be effective in that situation.”
Rick Brunson, while acknowledging his son`s success exceeded expectations, also wondered how Jalen would perform leading his own offense. “Dallas is a great fit, but my son is like anyone else,” Rick Brunson said. “Everyone wants what Luka has. Everyone wants to feel like, ‘Hey, I can do this too.’ We’ll consider the pros and cons of staying or leaving this summer.”
A week after the Mavs’ season ended, Rick Brunson became an assistant coach for the Knicks, reuniting with Thibodeau. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson said he heard “nothing” from the Mavs in the weeks before free agency, which surprised him after Cuban`s public confidence. On draft night, the Knicks made moves to clear cap space for Brunson.
“We weren’t shocked by the Knicks’ plans,” Harrison said that night. “Until he says he doesn’t want to be here, we’re optimistic. We have to be.”
Cuban thought a fair offer for Brunson was around “Fred VanVleet money,” about $105 million over five years, using VanVleet’s salary as a benchmark. Cuban had a similar approach with Steve Nash years earlier.
The Knicks cleared more salary to make a competitive offer to Brunson. Cuban considered a sign-and-trade deal, but the Knicks cleared enough space by trading players to Detroit. Reports indicated the Knicks were expected to offer Brunson over $100 million for four years.
The Mavs still scheduled a meeting with Brunson in New York on June 30th, when negotiations could officially start. Some of Brunson’s Mavericks teammates and team officials planned to attend. The Brunson family expected Cuban to try to outbid the Knicks with a max deal. The Mavs could offer up to $175.5 million over five years.
“I know what [Cuban is] going to do. He’s going to come to New York and say, ‘Here’s a max deal,’” Rick Brunson told his family. “I thought he’d come with a max deal and ask, ‘What will you do?’”
Jalen Brunson’s response was, “I’m taking it.”
“And I said, ‘Gotta do it!’” Rick Brunson added.
The Mavs, with the advantage of no state income tax in Texas, could have matched the Knicks` offer. But Cuban and the Mavs didn’t increase their offer. The meeting was canceled, with each side initially blaming the other. (Cuban and Brunson later agreed that the Mavs canceled it.)
Brunson agreed to a four-year, $104 million deal with the Knicks that night, almost double the extension he was offered the previous summer.
“Personally, I felt like, ‘I’m out of here [from Dallas],’” Rick Brunson said about his mindset before free agency. “But I had to convince him, ‘You’re better than this. You can lead your own team.’”
“But I’ll say this: if Dallas offered the same money or more, I don’t know if he leaves. Make it hard! They didn’t. They made it easy.”
The Knicks were initially criticized for overpaying, but Brunson’s contract became a bargain. He quickly became a star in New York, revitalizing a struggling franchise.
Months later, Cuban blamed Brunson’s father for interfering in negotiations. Rick Brunson wasn`t offended, as his son received more money and a bigger role. “Yeah, I’m the father,” Rick said. “You protect your kids, and you tell them the truth.”
Cuban claimed the Mavs couldn’t have outbid the Knicks because they didn`t know the offer, even though it was widely reported. This situation led to the NBA fining the Knicks for tampering.
“We didn’t know what the bid was,” Cuban said. “They never gave us a number. Knowing the numbers now, I would’ve paid it in a heartbeat, but he wouldn’t have come anyway. It wasn’t about money.”
Cuban also insisted Brunson never indicated he would sign the extension in January, contradicting the Brunsons. Cuban even showed texts from February to reporters, surprising his GM. When asked about January texts, Cuban became angry.
“Bullshit! That’s fucking bullshit, Tim!” Cuban yelled. “And you are a moron if you listened to those motherfuckers.”