Mark Cuban was a guest on Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart’s ‘Roommates Show’ podcast. Brunson, who once played for the Mavericks, addressed their 2022 negotiations, and what bothered him about it. Brunson noted that he was upset at Cuban taking a dig at his parents, to which Cuban immediately issued an apology.
Mark Cuban: “I thought it would work out. I really did. But it didn’t and that’s okay. All’s well that ends well. I’m happy for you, King of NY, & I’m happy for us. It is what it is. That’s the NBA.”
Jalen Brunson: “The only thing I didn’t like was when Mark said ‘When the parents got involved, that’s when things got messy’. That was the one thing I was like ‘Damn, that was a little jab’.”
Cuban: “Wasn’t really. I didn’t want to go there here. It wasn’t a jab at all. There’s no reason for us to talk about any of that, but it wasn’t just a jab JB, for real.”
Brunson: “I’m just saying, when I heard that, that’s what made me – I felt a certain way…”
Cuban: “I apologize… That wasn’t the intention. But it was hard to deal with. It was a unique negotiation in a lot of different ways.”
Brunson: “I would say it was the same negotiation we went through with Isaiah [Hartenstein]. I’d say it was pretty similar.”
Cuban: “In some respects, yeah. I don’t know the details. But, it may well be… I’m happy for you… We still keep in touch, I’m always sending you congrats. Definitely no hard feelings at all. But it’s always interesting when your dad and I walk by each other, it’s just like – he gives me the eye, I give him the eye, we smile and keep on walking…”
Brunson: “Yup.”
Mark Cuban: "Alls well that ends well. I'm happy for you, King of NY, & I'm happy for us"
Jalen Brunson: "Only thing I didn't like…when Mark said 'When the parents got involved…things got messy'…that was a little jab––"
Cuban: "Wasn't really. I didn't want to go there… pic.twitter.com/B3vIqklQ88
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) August 30, 2024
Brunson and Cuban are clearly not holding a grudge about the negotiations and how they went. It is good to see the two put their hard feelings to rest, and have an open conversation about their negotiations. Brunson would end up leaving the Mavericks in 2022 to join the Knicks, after proving himself to be a great point guard.
Jalen Brunson – New King Of New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson’s signing for the Knicks transformed them significantly. Brunson took his game to another level, making the Knicks a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks pushed the Miami Heat to six games in the second round in 2023, primarily due to Brunson’s heroics.
And last season, Brunson fought injuries and fatigue to drag the Knicks to the second round once again. What made his performances even more impressive was the fact that he was playing through injuries, and he couldn’t call upon his co-star, Julius Randle, as he was injured.
During the playoffs in 2024, Brunson averaged 32.4 points, 7.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds as he led the Knicks to a Game 7 in the second round.
But Brunson’s biggest contribution to the Knicks next season may have already happened. He took a massive pay cut, forgoing about $113 million to sign a four-year, $156 million contract with the Knicks, which allowed them to accommodate OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.
Brunson will have the opportunity to make his money later, as he can sign a potential $418 million contract with the Knicks when his current deal expires.
The Knicks are legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference and could reach the NBA Finals next year for the first time since 1999. If Brunson can somehow bring a championship to the Knicks, he will go down as one of the greatest Knicks players in history.
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