Mark Cuban called out Jalen Brunson’s father, Rick for the star guarding suiting up for the New York Knicks after inking a four-year, $104 million deal with the latter.
“Where it went south was when Rick took over, when the parent took over, or parents took over,” the Dallas Mavericks owners said, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Cuban also pushed back against the developments where Brunson was willing to sign a $56 million extension and read out texts from Mavs GM Nico Harrison and the guard’s agent, Aaron Mintz.
“‘We aren’t gonna make a decision on JB based on what Aaron says his dad wants in July,’” Cuban said, quoting a message from Harrison. “And Nico back then is saying — this is in February — ‘I agree with you, but I think just the New York thing is too tied to their family to overcome.'”
Brunson’s exit chatter comes on the back of Luka Doncic’s comment on missing the prolific guard. When asked if he missed Brunson in the Mavs ranks, the Slovenian responded with a solemn “A lot.”
When Dallas landed Kyrie Irving in a blockbuster trade this year ahead of the deadline, it appeared that they had filled the void Brunson had left. But the team has had a disappointing run and their playoff hopes are slim. The team is 7-15 since Irving’s arrival and is now placed 11th in the East.
Off the floor, Cuban didn’t mince his words expressing his displeasure in losing Brunson. “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. There’s just no possible way that it was about money.”
In the end, Brunson’s move to the Knicks saw the team make the playoffs and he’s had a stellar season himself averaging 24.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.
The Dallas Mavericks Intend To Re-sign Kyrie Irving
The Dallas Mavericks may not make the postseason, but the good news is they’re already thinking ahead. And Cuban is intent on re-signing Irving.
Per MacMahon, the Dallas head honcho claimed that getting the mercurial guard to stay was a “top priority.” Since the start of this season, the need of the hour for the Mavs was a seasoned ball-handler who could take the scoring load off Doncic.
Irving fit the bill perfectly and has had a solid season averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. Not to mention, there have been reports suggesting that the 30-year-old wants to stay with the Mavericks. Hopefully, Cuban gets his wish, and Dallas will see a more improved 2023-24 season.
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