New York Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson was the Dallas Mavericks’ 33rd overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, the Mavs waived him off in free agency, and JB made his legacy in the “Big Apple.” Recently, Brunson discussed his failed free agency negotiation with the Mavericks’ minority owner, Mark Cuban.
After spending four years at the Mavericks, the NBA franchise offered Brunson a four-year, $55 million deal, which prompted the point guard to explore other team options.
Last year, Cuban revealed that Jalen’s father, Rick Brunson, affected the trade as the Mavericks wanted to retain the two-time NCAA champion. He said, “Where it went south was when Rick took over, when the parent took over, or parents took over…I mean, there was no negotiation.
“They didn’t give us a number…That’s the way it works. Right? You have a relationship with the agent, and they want to at least give you a chance because you helped develop the player.”
Last year, Cuban revealed that Jalen’s father, Rick Brunson, affected the trade as the Mavericks wanted to retain the two-time NCAA champion. He said, “Where it went south was when Rick took over, when the parent took over, or parents took over…I mean, there was no negotiation.
“They didn’t give us a number…That’s the way it works. Right? You have a relationship with the agent, and they want to at least give you a chance because you helped develop the player.”
Mark Cuban Apologizes To Jalen Brunson On 2022 Failed Negotiations
The New York Knicks hired Rick Brunson as their assistant coach on June 2, 2022. After a month, Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks. Brunson and Cuban appeared at the Roommates Show and discussed the 2022 failed negotiation.
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During their conversation, the Knicks guard said, “The only thing I didn’t like about the whole situation was that Mark said, ‘When the parents got involved, that’s when things got messy.’ That was the one thing I was like, ‘Damn, that was a little jab.’”
Marc Cuban responded, “It wasn’t really. … It wasn’t just a jab, JB, for real.” The American businessman added, “I apologize. … That wasn’t the intention. But it was hard to deal with. It was a unique negotiation in a lot of different ways.”
However, the two ended the interaction well, with the Mavericks minority owner wishing the best for his former player. Brunson made his name with the two-time NBA champions, averaging 24 points and 6.2 assists per game in the 2022-23 season. He improved his season stats to 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game in the next season, taking the Knicks to the Conference semifinals.
Also Read: Former NBA Champion Surprisingly Dubs Jalen Brunson As Potentially ‘One Of The Greatest Knicks Ever’
