Jalen Brunson Reveals How Mavericks Could Have Easily Re-Signed Him

This could be the biggest business mistake of Mark Cuban’s career. According to former Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson, now a massive star for the  New York Knicks, Cuban and the Mavs could have easily retained him before he bolted in free agency for a four-year $104 million contract with New York.

Look away Mavericks fans: Jalen Brunson confirms he asked the Mavericks for a 4-year, $55M extension.

The Mavericks rejected him twice.

(via @allthesmokeprod) pic.twitter.com/UCX1mKkv3n

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 21, 2024

Brunson says he came to the Mavs asking for a 4-year, $55 million extension — about half of what he ended up getting from the Knicks — but they rejected him. TWICE. Yikes.

He made the comments on the "All The Smoke" podcast with Matt Barnes.

"I really did want to stay in Dallas," Brunson said.

.@jalenbrunson1 details his last season in Dallas. He was ready to sign a 4-year $55 million contract, but the Mavs front office balked.😳

Full episode of All The Smoke with JB drops tomorrow on our YouTube. pic.twitter.com/whxbOrez0w

— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) February 21, 2024

Brunson added that the Mavs tried to get that deal done with him after the trade deadline, but at that point, it was too late. "No. I think I've outgrown that now."

So with the feisty guard taking his talents to Madison Square Garden after that 2022 season, the Mavericks had to make a big pivot last year and ship out numerous assets for Kyrie Irving. And then had to shell out $120 million on a three-year deal to re-sign the volatile, controversial Irving this past off-season. 

And while the Knicks have gotten a new team leader, an All-Star, and 27.6 points per game and 6.5 assists this season from Brunson for their $104M, Dallas has gotten 25.5 points and 5.2 assists thus far—and no All-Star nod—for their $120M man.

Yes, Kyrie is a star, but it's costing the Mavs more than twice the amount of money that they could have had Brunson for, plus assets like Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie and three draft picks, including a first-rounder that they had to send to the Brooklyn Nets to deal for Irving. 

No doubt Cuban will try to spin this revelation or deny it somehow, but there's no reason for Brunson to come out with this now if it wasn't the case. 

Cuban recently gave up ownership of his beloved Mavs, but retained a basketball operations role. 

Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports