“It Was Crickets”: Jalen Brunson Divulges Mark Cuban’s Betrayal That Prompted Knicks Move

Jalen Brunson was perceived as one of the most volatile NBA free agent risks when the New York Knicks signed him in 2022. However, now in his second year, he has transformed them into potential title contenders, catapulting them to a fourth spot in the East this season. Since moving to the Big Apple, Brunson has blossomed into an All-Star player, receiving the first nod this season.

However, his journey in the NBA kicked off with the Dallas Mavericks, where he played for four seasons. While his departure from Dallas has been well documented, Brunson recently shed light on what actually transpired between him and the organization that led to the trade.

Jalen Brunson pulls the curtains on Knicks trade

During a recent appearance on the “All The Smoke” podcast, the 27-year-old revealed that he had plans to stay with the Mavericks for the long haul. However, those feelings were not reciprocated. When it was time for his contract extension, he was turned down not once but twice. To make matters worse, he heard nothing from them after the 2022 season. Even after he was averaging 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists in the postseason, helping the team reach the Conference Finals, there were no talks of an extension. Not even when he carried the team during the brief stretch that Luka was hurt. And when the Mavs did eventually make an offer around the trade deadline, he admitted that he’d “outgrown” that deal.

He also exposed Mark Cuban, who, right after the Mavs lost the Western Conference Finals, said in an interview that “we can pay him the most money.” However, those were just empty words. “He says that in the interview, literally right after the game. And so I’m thinking, like, alright I’m okay. After that it was crickets. From my point of view, can’t speak for anyone else, it was crickets,” said the recent All-Star.

This is when he started considering the Knicks. This deal proved to be the “best move” since he not only received a better offer, but he could also stay close to his family. The Mavs fumbled big time since Brunson admitted that he was ready to agree to a four-year, $55 million extension. In the end, everything worked out for Brunson, who signed a four-year, $104 million deal with the Knicks. But Brunson’s side of the story contradicts the version Mark Cuban has been spreading all these years.

Mark Cuban blames Brunson’s parents for losing him

After Brunson left Dallas, Cuban blamed his parents for his failure to retain him while he had time. He accused Brunson’s father, Rick, who joined as Knicks assistant coach weeks before he signed, and team president Leon Rose, Brunson’s godfather, who was previously his agent. Last April, Cuban told ESPN’s Tim McMahon, “Where it went south was when Rick took over, when the parent took over, or parents took over.”

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He also insisted that the Mavs were not given a chance to present their deal. “We didn’t know what the bid was. They never gave us a number. Knowing the numbers now, I would’ve paid it in a heartbeat, but he wouldn’t have come anyway. There’s just no possible way that it was about money.” Cuban added.

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