Mavericks missed their chance with Jalen Brunson
The Dallas player, who is starring in the playoffs, is out of contract at the end of the season and could renew for $20 million a year.
In the wake of Luka Doncic’s absence due to injury, a member of the supporting cast has emerged as a major player for Dallas, with Jalen Brunson guiding the Mavs through the first few playoff contests against the Jazz. The point guard, however, will be a free agent in the offseason, as his contract expires for $1.8 million. And although there is already talk about his future, the player is focused on the present.
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Brunson family ‘joke’ about free agency
“Not at all. Not at all. I promise you,” Brunson remarked when asked, as reported by Tim MacMahon for ESPN. “My dad, we’ll joke about it, but [the family know] that I don’t want to talk about it til the season’s over. That’s really not going to help me right now.
“I know it’s a weird situation. People don’t believe that I don’t talk about it, but it’s not a topic of conversation until I guess we get there.”
It’s surprising that at his age and with his talent he has such a clear head. A big part of the reason for this lies with his father, Rick Brunson, who instilled in him the values of work and discipline from an early age.
“The work ethic comes from him -- watching him, seeing that and then being able to work out with him summer after summer,” Jalen explains. “You get better and better and see results after results.
“Growing up, he always told me he had the answers to the tests. He was the study guide.”
“Don’t tell me you love me, show me”
Now, following his impressive performances against Utah, with 41 and 31 points in games two and three of the series, suitors are apparently lining up, with the Knicks and the Pistons both said to be keen. And now it could be for a salary of around $20 million.
Earlier in the season, Dallas could have offered him a four-year, $55.5 million extension, but there was never an approach from the franchise. Today, it’s still uncertain.
“We’ve got to figure out if Dallas wants him. Not words,” father Rick notes. “Ain’t no discount. So don’t put it on us. Don’t tell me you love me, show me.”
With that, is not known where the player’s future will lie. What is clear is that in these playoffs he has established himself as a point guard to be reckoned with and that he is capable of winning games. When this particular journey comes to an end, Brunson will have to decide whether to stay in Dallas or pack his bags, albeit with a significantly better contract than he could have signed earlier in the season.