Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson is going to have one of the more intriguing free agency situations this NBA offseason. Brunson is earning himself more and more money with every passing game in the playoffs as he is having an outstanding series against the Utah Jazz.
Brunson was a huge reason for the team going up 2-1 in the series when Luka Doncic was sidelined with a calf strain. Even with Doncic back in the lineup, Brunson has continued playing well.
The Villanova prospect has scored at least 23 points in all five games against the Jazz, including a 41-point performance in a Game 2 victory. Brunson has become an integral part of the team’s rotation and will be costly to keep in free agency this summer.
Some executives believe Brunson could earn between $20-and-25 million annually as a free agent this offseason. The Mavericks can offer him a fifth-year, while other teams can only offer him a four-year contract. However, he will be an unrestricted free agent because of the contract he signed as a rookie, as he had a non-guaranteed fourth season, not a team option.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mavericks Won’t Help Knicks In Jalen Brunson Sign-And-Trade
However, it almost didn’t get to this point. Had the Mavericks had their way leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft, Brunson would be playing elsewhere right now. According to ESPN, the Mavericks were enamored with Tyrese Haliburton and aggressively pursued a deal to move up to select him.
“The Mavs coveted guard Tyrese Haliburton in that draft and aggressively tried to trade up for him, offering a package of Brunson and the 18th and 31st overall picks, league sources told ESPN.
Dallas couldn’t find a taker before the Sacramento Kings used the No. 12 pick to select Haliburton — now playing for Carlisle after the Indiana Pacers acquired him in the Domantas Sabonis deal at the trade deadline — with the Knicks staying put and taking forward Obi Toppin with the eighth pick.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mavericks Won’t Help Knicks In Jalen Brunson Sign-And-Trade
It is funny how things come full circle like that. Rick Carlisle was the head coach of the Mavericks at the time the organization was targeting Haliburton, and now he is coaching him elsewhere. Two years later, the New York Knicks are now going to be one of the teams pursuing Brunson hard in free agency to fill their void at the point guard position.
Looking back on potential deals like this always creates some interesting what-ifs. How different would things be for the Knicks had they landed Brunson two years ago, giving them the point guard they have been searching for years for?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mavericks Won’t Help Knicks In Jalen Brunson Sign-And-Trade
For the Dallas Mavericks, Tyrese Haliburton would have been an incredible pairing in the backcourt with Luka Doncic, providing them with even more size and switchability in the backcourt. He is locked into his rookie deal for two more seasons, which would give them even more flexibility on their salary cap as Jalen Brunson is about to land a huge contract.
