The Dallas Mavericks last season looked like real contenders in the playoffs, making it all the way to the Conference Finals. While superstar Luka Doncic undoubtedly played a crucial role in the team’s success last season, the team saw another player step up as well during the post-season, Jalen Brunson.
Brunson, who really didn’t have much chance to flourish in the 2020-21 season, exploded on the scene for the Mavericks in the 2021-22 season. With Tim Hardaway Jr. missing multiple games, it was Brunson who got time to flourish, and the guard certainly took advantage of the situation.
Averaging career highs all across the board in the regular season, it was his playoff performances that really got people talking. Averaging 21.6 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game, Brunson truly seemed like the second option Mavs were looking for.
With Brunson entering free agency, things got dicey, though, and the 25-year-old signed a 4-year contract worth $104 million with the New York Knicks instead. Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban recently reacted to Brunson’s signing with the Knicks.
In a recent conversation with New Day‘s Steve Popper, Cuban revealed that the team could not even place an offer as Brunson was convinced to leave the team.
“It happens. It’s the way this league works. It’s a business. You trade a player, you say it’s a business. You lose a player, it’s a business. It’s just the way it goes.”
“It really wasn’t about the amount of money… We really didn’t get a chance to make an offer. It was Jalen’s choice. And I understand it. He knew those guys his entire life. He grew up there. It makes perfect sense.”
While Dallas lost out on a player like Brunson, they did add a very offense-minded center in Christian Wood in the offseason. Given that Doncic and Co. finally have a center who is a lob threat and decent enough shooter, the Mavericks look like a massive threat offensively. But the main deal-breaker for them at the moment is their defense.
Given that they lost a shifty guard in Brunson, making a move for a defensive-minded guard who can be a good backup will be in Mavs’ playbook. Who else do you think Dallas will sign this offseason?
