More details around the murky exit between the Dallas Mavericks and Jalen Brunson have emerged, further proving how important the latter was to the team’s title aspirations this season.
Per The Athletic’s Tim Cato, “The team’s failure to retain Brunson truly started the cascading chain of events that led to this season’s ultimate collapse, one that a team source succinctly described as a “f***ing disaster.” One player remarked minutes before the season’s final game, “I’m glad it’s over.”
While Dallas suffered, Brunson bolstered the New York Knicks offense and playmaking. And earlier, team owner Mark Cuban voiced his displeasure about the way the guard’s departure impacted the Mavericks’ season.
In his report, Cato further added: “In the days leading up to the free agency, Cuban and the team’s decision-makers had planned to meet him in New York. They had prepared a “sentimental” video, according to team sources, featuring his accomplishments and community work in Dallas, but the meeting was canceled and the Mavericks understood, in the days leading up to July 1, that Brunson joining the Knicks was inevitable.”
Brunson has been prolific for the Knicks averaging 24.0 points and 6.2 assists per game, and the team is now in the playoffs, while the Mavericks, despite adding a massive name in Kyrie Irving, failed to make the postseason.
Jalen Brunson Wasn’t Happy With Mark Cuban’s Remarks Against His Father
Earlier this season, Cuban blamed Brunson’s father, Rick for the botched trade and the Knicks’ star wasn’t pleased.
While he didn’t react directly to Cuban, he chose to keep it subtle saying his focus was on the first round of the playoffs. “I’m really focused on Cleveland right now. That’s all,” he told the media when asked about Cuban accusing his father of making him go to the Knicks.
The Knicks have had an impressive run so far, making it to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 2013, and much of that credit goes to Brunson. Only time will tell if they can get past Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
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