Dallas Mavericks: Should they extend Jalen Brunson this offseason?

The Dallas Mavericks could not believe that Jalen Brunson was available in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. They had a first-round grade on him and were ecstatic to select JB 33rd overall. It was a banner night for the Mavs. They traded into the top three to draft Luka Doncic and quickly jumped out of a short rebuild.

Brunson led Villanova to two NCAA championships in his three seasons. He quickly played his way into the Mavericks rotation. The 24-year-old made a significant leap in his third NBA season. JB was in the running for Sixth Man of the Year as he averaged 12.6 points on 52.3 percent shooting from the field. The 6’1 guard continues to improve and could be in line for a larger role next season.

The Mavs signed Jalen Brunson to a non-traditional contract after he was drafted in 2018, and that could come back to bite them. Here is a closer look at his deal, and why Dallas needs to extend him this offseason.

Why Dallas Mavericks must extend Jalen Brunson this summer

Brunson agreed to a four-year partially guaranteed $6.1 million in 2018. First-round picks have rookie-scale contracts, but teams are free to sign second-rounders to whatever deals they choose. The Mavericks gave him a non-guaranteed final year worth $1.8 million. They are certain to pick up that option, but it allows JB to become an unrestricted free agent in 2022. The deal gave Dallas some protection if he did not pan out, but it bites because the 24-year-old never becomes a restricted free agent.

It means the Dallas Mavericks must extend Jalen Brunson this offseason if they want to ensure he stays long-term. Will they do it? Here is the case for and against before attempting to reach a verdict.

Next: Case for an extension

Why the Dallas Mavericks should extend Jalen Brunson this offseason

Brunson has played three seasons in the NBA. His minutes, points, rebounds, assists, and 3-point percentage have improved every year. This season, he shot over 40 percent from long range while finishing fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting. The 24-year-old should continue to improve too.

Keeping homegrown talent is a key for any championship contender. Yes, the Suns added Chris Paul, but they developed Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and others. The Warriors dynasty featured three homegrown talents in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Developing talent is an important part of roster building.

The Mavericks are unlikely to have cap space in the 2022 offseason. They will have Brunson’s bird rights, so they can re-sign him either way. Getting the deal done now locks him in as part of their core. Luka Doncic is expected to sign a rookie max extension this summer. Dallas will also be looking to add another key piece in free agency on a multi-year deal. That should push the Mavericks near the cap.

If the Mavs lose Brunson in free agency in 2022, they are unlikely to be able to sign a replacement. Dallas will not have the cap space. They will be relying on their mid-level and bi-annual exceptions to add talent to the roster next summer. Ensuring Jalen Brunson is in Dallas gives the Mavericks another talented piece as they attempt to build a title contender.

Next: Case against a Brunson extension

Why the Dallas Mavericks should not extend Jalen Brunson this summer

The case against re-signing Brunson comes down to money and playoff contributions. The maximum extension he can receive from the Mavs this offseason is four years at $55 million. ESPN’s Bobby Marks details why that is right about at Brunson’s projected value (subscription required).

JB’s production dipped in the playoffs. It was his first NBA postseason experience after he missed the bubble recovering from shoulder surgery. Brunson averaged 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 16.3 minutes per game during the seven-game series against the LA Clippers. He shot 45.5 percent from the field and 46.2 percent on his threes, but the Mavericks were outscored by 56 points during his 114 minutes on the floor.

Dallas wants to jump into title contention. Luka Doncic is on his way to becoming the best player in the world. He might already be there. The Mavs need to start winning in the playoffs to keep him around. Can Brunson contribute more in the playoffs? If not, does the organization want to give him a four-year deal worth $13.75 million per season?

Jalen Brunson will continue to get better, but his size is problematic on the defensive end of the floor. The LA Clippers exploited him in the playoffs. If that keeps happening, JB will never play massive minutes in the postseason.

Next: Should Mavs extend Brunson?

Should the Dallas Mavericks extend Jalen Brunson?

Yes, the Mavs should extend Brunson’s contract this offseason. The 24-year-old is one of the best difficult shot makers in the NBA, and he keeps getting better every year. JB will continue to be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year. Expect him to focus on his defense and playmaking this offseason, while likely adding a new move to his offensive arsenal.

The Mavericks may be forced to hand out every cent of the maximum $55 million over four years that they can offer, but it will be worth it. Brunson should be an impactful role player in the league for the next decade-plus. He can create his own shot, handle the ball, and run the offense. Finding quality options there is not easy.

Brunson’s playoff performance should improve too. His shooting percentages were fantastic. The Clippers played him off the floor, but they were also one of the worst matchups for JB. He mostly guarded Rajon Rondo or Reggie Jackson, but LA was forcing him to switch on to Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Nicolas Batum too. Dallas needs to do a better job of putting Brunson in a position to succeed on the defensive end of the floor.

Will the Dallas Mavericks sign Jalen Brunson to a contract extension this offseason? It is one of the many storylines to follow. Check back to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest.