Dallas Mavericks rumors: 3 teams lining up to pursue Jalen Brunson in free agency

The Dallas Mavericks could not agree on an extension with Jalen Brunson this season, so the 6’1 guard will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The organization remains optimistic that they will get a deal done with JB, but there will be plenty of interest on the open market.

The rumor mill is just starting to heat up, and there has already been plenty of Brunson chatter. The latest comes from Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer where he names the Knicks and Pistons as aggressive in their pursuit of JB. Fischer also mentions the Pacers as a team hoping to sign Brunson, while noting the Mavericks remain confident they will land his signature on a new deal this summer.

All three teams have been linked to Brunson before with the Knicks rumored to be targeting him since Leon Rose became their president. There will be other suitors too, but clearing the money to sign JB will not be easy for them. Here is a look at why Dallas should be confident he stays with the Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks rumors: 3 opposing teams lining up to pursue Jalen Brunson in free agency

All three teams rumored to be in on Brunson are in the lottery later this month. Each hopes to leap into the playoffs, but the Knicks had the best record of the group where they finished six games out of the play-in tournament. There is a ton of depth in the Eastern Conference, so jumping up the standings will not be easy.

The Dallas Mavericks have proven they can compete with any team this postseason. Does Jalen Brunson want to leave a situation in Dallas where he starts in the backcourt next to Luka Doncic on a contending team to go to a lottery team? The other teams with the cap space to sign him outright are all in the lottery.

Yes, the Mavs will have to make a competitive offer, but Dallas should feel good about their position to re-sign Brunson. There will be plenty of interest, and his performance this postseason only increased his value, but the Dallas Mavericks should be able to get a deal done with the 6’1 guard if they are willing to pay the going rate.