The recent departure of Jalen Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks has generated quite a stir, especially since the talented guard has been flourishing with the New York Knicks. The situation has escalated, with Mavs’ owner Mark Cuban pointing fingers at Brunson’s father for his free agency loss. The drama surrounding the player’s exit raises questions about the role of family involvement in professional sports.
How did Jalen Brunson end up with the Knicks?
Jalen Brunson, who played four seasons with the Mavericks, boasted an impressive 2021-22 campaign, with career highs in points (16.3 per game) and assists (4.8). Despite discussions regarding a long-term deal with Dallas, the Knicks swooped in and signed Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract, allowing him to return to his hometown team. Mark Cuban, however, blames Brunson’s father, Rick, for the player’s departure from Dallas. “Things went south when the parents got involved,” Cuban said.
Mark Cuban is blaming Rick Brunson for the Mavs losing Jalen Brunson in free agency, saying “things went south when the parents got involved.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 5, 2023
Rick Brunson was hired as an assistant with the Knicks in June 2022, just over a month before Jalen signed with the team. This led to an investigation by the league for tampering, ultimately resulting in the Knicks being stripped of their second-round pick in 2025 for violating league rules.
How has Brunson been performing with the Knicks?
Since joining the Knicks, Jalen Brunson has been thriving, averaging 24 points per game and shooting 41.6% from the three-point line. The team currently occupies the fifth position in the Eastern Conference. In contrast, the Mavericks have been struggling, with a 37-42 record and losing seven of their last 10 games.
Mavericks’ star Luka Dončić openly admitted that the team misses Brunson’s presence “a lot.” The Mavericks secured Kyrie Irving in a trade with the Nets, but still find themselves half a game behind the Thunder for the 10th and final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
This saga highlights the potential consequences of family involvement in professional sports decisions. While Jalen Brunson continues to excel with the Knicks, the Mavericks are left grappling with the void left by his departure and the finger-pointing that has ensued.
