Jalen Brunson could touch up to 25 million on his next deal
He is one of the best players at the start of the Playoffs, even if his name resonates much less than that of the big NBA stars. That guy is Jalen Brunson, outstanding since the start of the first-round series against the Jazz. Performances that are timely for the one who will be a free agent in the summer of 2022.
When Luka Doncic was announced for the start of the series against the Jazz, Jalen Brunson was expected to step-up to try to compensate as best as possible for the absence of the MVP of the Mavs. But even the guy’s biggest fans didn’t expect California : four games, 29.8 average points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists for only 0.8 turnover, all at 48.3% success including almost 41% from the parking lot and more than 85% from the free throw line. Wow ! If Dallas managed to take two of the four games against Utah despite Luka’s absence, it was largely due to the exceptional production of Villanova’s product. A production that is light years away from that of the 2021 Playoffs, when Jalen was on the sidelines under the orders of Rick Carlisle despite a Sixth Man of the Year caliber season. Somehow, it’s a nice revenge for Brunson and the latter will allow him to touch a lot of greenbacks next summer. For those unaware, the 25-year-old guard is effectively in the final year of his four-year contract and will therefore be able to test the market in a few weeks. Already chosen sure and certain, his agent will land in the negotiations by fixing his feet on the table and whistling. Because there is no better argument than performance in the Playoffs. How much will Jalen Brunson get on his next deal? Between 20 and 25 million dollars a year according to the Hexperts ofESPN.
25 million per year is about… 14 times more than his current salary which is 1.8 million. Appreciate the increase. But the real question is above all who is going to give him all this money. Dallas for a big contract extension? Or a franchise with cap space determined to boost its backcourt? According to Tim MacMahon ofESPN, Mavs boss Mark Cuban seems ready to take out the wallet to keep his player even if it means paying a hefty luxury tax (Luka Doncic’s huge extension will also come into play next season). And if ever the owner of the Texas franchise changes his mind, we can count on franchises like the Pistons and the Knicks to offer a nice package of sorrel to the executioner of Jazz. We will see how this situation will evolve this summer but the Mavericks have reason to have some regrets today knowing that they could have extended their player a few months ago already, at a much more affordable price. As MacMahon mentions, Dallas refused to table a four-year, $55 million deal before the start of the 2021-22 season. The reason ? As said above, not great Playoffs but also a desire to keep room for maneuver in the ultimate mission which is to surround Luka Doncic as best as possible. And when the Texans finally decided during the season to offer this same extension, the Brunson camp kindly refused. Normal, because Jalen knew very well that his value was now higher in view of the new progress during the 2021-22 campaign. This is how we find ourselves at the end of April with a player who plays the best basket of his career at the best possible moment. A player who is going to be paid well, in Dallas or elsewhere.
“We’ll see if Dallas really wants it. There will be no discounts. So it’s not up to us. Don’t tell us you love us. Show it to us. »
– Rick Brunson, Jalen’s dad
Jalen Brunson is going to hit the Free Agency market like a king, especially if he continues his craziness in the Playoffs. According to his proposals, he seems to want to stay on the Dallas side where he has been playing since the start of his NBA career in 2018. But it’s not every year that you get the chance to hit the jackpot…
Source text: ESPN