Jalen Brunson is having another strong season for the Dallas Mavericks, but could leave the franchise in the summer as a free agent. Nevertheless, there should be optimism in the Mavs camp that the Guard will remain in the long term.
Marc Stein reports this in his newsletter at Substack. Accordingly, the Mavs are confident that sooner or later they will agree on a new contract with Brunson. Brunson was drawn with the 33rd pick in 2018 and immediately received a four-year working paper.
In contrast to other second round picks, Brunson’s contract did not contain a team option for the fourth year, so the Mavs could not make the playmaker a restricted free agent after his third season. Instead, Brunson will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022, if an early extension cannot be agreed by then.
In theory, Brunson could sign a new contract for up to four years and $ 55.6 million at any time, but there is no limit in the summer. In 17 games so far, the Guard has indicated that it could possibly be worth more than the maximum amount. After Luka Doncic, Brunson is the most consistent player so far and has an average of 15.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
According to Stein, Brunson is also one of the leaders in the Texans’ locker room, another reason Dallas would like to keep the playmaker. This season, Brunson collected just $ 1.8 million, but the 25-year-old is currently missing with a foot injury that he sustained while playing at the LA Clippers.
Brad Townsend (Dallas Morning News) reported, however, that the injury was not serious. The point guard trained again on Friday and could be used again on Sunday night against the Washington Wizards.
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