If the latest rumors are to be believed, it looks like the New York Knicks have surpassed the Dallas Mavericks in the chase to sign Jalen Brunson in free agency.
After their playoffs exit, the Mavs expressed confidence they can re-sign Brunson to a new deal as the guard becomes an unrestricted free agent. Dallas has also made it known that bringing back the guard is their no. 1 priority in the offseason.
However, the Knicks have gained momentum in their bid to steal the rising star guard away from the Mavs, even doing their best to create enough cap space in order to offer him a lucrative contract. Now, according to NBA insider Marc Stein via Substack, “there is growing resignation in Dallas” that Brunson wants to join New York instead of returning to the team that drafted him.
Wrote Friday that the Knicks had amassed "major momentum" in their pursuit of Jalen Brunson after draft night.
There is a growing resignation in Dallas, sources say, that the Knicks are indeed Brunson's top choice and his inevitable destination.
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— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 28, 2022
Tim MacMahon of ESPN corroborates the report from Stein, adding that the Knicks are expected to offer Jalen Brunson a four-year, $100 million deal–though they still have to do more moves to create that cap space.
There is also the possibility that the Mavs try to work on a sign-and-trade deal with the Knicks to get some assets in return, but it is worth noting that the Knicks really don't need Dallas to facilitate the deal if they are able to clear the enough room for Brunson.
At this point, it's widely anticipated that Jalen Brunson will go to the Knicks on a four-year deal in excess of $100M. It remains to be seen how New York will clear the rest of the necessary cap space and whether the Mavs can work a sign-and-trade to recoup assets.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 28, 2022
While there has been increasing fears about Brunson's departure in recent days, it has certainly become a legitimate concern for the Mavs. The 25-year-old guard was Dallas' best player when Luka Doncic was out early in the playoffs, and it's quite clear he's the second-most important part of the team after the Slovenian superstar.
If he leaves, it is unknown how the Mavs can replace him and with whom.