27The Dallas Mavericks took a big step forward this season. The Mavs reached their first Western Conference Finals since 2022, and despite falling to the Warriors in five games, there is plenty of optimism around Dallas. That is, there's plenty of optimism as long as the Mavs can keep their core pieces in place.

Jalen Brunson is a central focus of the Mavs offseason to-do list. The 25-year-old broke out in this year's playoffs averaging 21.6 points per game and earning the attention of many NBA executives. Brunson is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he is expected to garner lucrative offers from multiple teams.

Mark Cuban opened up to Bally Sports Southwest about the possibility of the former second round pick resigning in Dallas:

“We can pay him more than anybody,” Cuban said. “I think he wants to stay and that's most important.”

Cuban has never backed away from his wealth or using it to further the Mavericks franchise. If he says the Mavs can pay Brunson more than other teams, he's probably not lying.

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Brunson and the Mavericks will have to field plenty of offers. The New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers have all reportedly shown interest in the guard per Jerome Miron. Teams with cap space can offer the contract to Brunson directly, or the Mavs can flip Brunson for a first round pick in a sign-and-trade.

It's very likely that Cuban will go into the luxury tax to retain Brunson. However, if another team is willing to do the same and the guard views it as a better situation, he could be enticed to depart from Dallas.