The Mavericks have been informed that free agent base Jalen Brunson intends to sign with the Knicks, a source told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon (Twitter link).
The new Brunson deal will be worth about $ 110 million over four years, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, which tweets that Dallas did not have a chance to make a final offer. Marc Stein (Twitter link) hears that the contract will be worth about $ 105 million, plus incentives.
The meeting Brunson had set up with the Mavericks in New York City at the start of the free agency no longer takes place, according to Stein (Twitter link). A report last night suggested that Brunson would meet with the Knicks, Mavericks and Heat at the start of free agency, but word has advanced today that the meeting with Miami was not happening either.
Brunson, 25, played in 79 regular-season games last season (31.9 MPG), averaging 16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG and 4.8 APG in .502 / shots. 373 / .840. He also posted a 3: 1 attendance / permanence ratio, considered a strong benchmark for a ball manager.
Brunson also stood out with a more important role in the postseason, averaging 21.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 3.7 APG in .466 / .347 / .800 shots in 18 games (34.9 MPG). ). He led the team to consecutive first-round wins over Utah in the absence of injured star Luka Doncic, scoring 41 and 31 points, respectively.
Despite his good performances last season, Brunson is not without flaws. He is only 6’1 ″ and, although he is strong, he is not the best athlete, which limits his defensive versatility.
The Knicks and Brunson have been linked for months. As has even been repeated, Knicks basketball operations president Leon Rose is Brunson’s former agent, Rose’s son Sam Rose is Brunson’s current agent and Brunson’s father , Rick Brunson, was recently hired as a Knicks assistant.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated previously reported that part of the Knicks ’field in Brunson is the ability to be the full-time starting base. In Dallas, it is a more secondary option to the position, with Doncic directing the program.
The Mavericks had long projected confidence in his ability to re-sign Brunson, but that confidence had waned considerably over the past week or so. They had their bird rights, which gave them the opportunity to offer more years (five) and money than other teams, but they are said to be only willing to reach $ 106 million for five years, the which is obviously considerably less annual than the Knicks offer. .
Dallas expects to be well above the salary cap, limiting the team’s ability to get a suitable replacement for Brunson. However, Stein reports (via Twitter) that the Mavs are not expected to immediately seek a replacement, but are relying on incumbent guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Tim Hardaway Jr. for the depth of the back track.
Hardway missed about half of the season, including the postseason, but should be healthy by 2022/23, Stein notes. Dallas finally plans to chase veteran goalie Goran Dragic once the team pursues priority goals, such as wing and front court players, according to Stein.
It is worth noting that reports two days ago said that the Knicks were expected to get Brunson on the terms mentioned above, and now their commitment to New York has ended almost before the official opening of the free agency, so it is possible for the Knicks to face a manipulation investigation. in the future.