Should the Mavericks trade Jalen Brunson before the deadline?

The Dallas Mavericks could not believe Jalen Brunson slipped into the second round in the 2018 NBA Draft, and they were ecstatic to select him 33rd overall, but the front office made a mistake in structuring his contract. Players taken in the second round are not subject to the rookie contract scale, and the Mavs did not add in a team option for the final season of his deal, so Brunson will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

It could turn into a massive blunder if the 25-year-old leaves and Dallas receives zero compensation in return, especially after JB’s breakout fourth NBA season. Brunson has played his way into the starting five and has been the team’s second-best player for significant stretches this season.

Rumors suggest JB wants $80 million over four years in free agency, and the Mavs are facing luxury tax concerns as superstar Luka Doncic’s max extension kicks in next season. Should Dallas trade Jalen Brunson before the Feb. 10 deadline to ensure they get something in return?

Should the Dallas Mavericks trade Jalen Brunson before the deadline?

Brunson is not the only free agent for the Mavs in the summer of 2022 as Dorian Finney-Smith will also be unrestricted. Dallas will have to go deep into the luxury tax re-sign both players.

Is owner Mark Cuban willing to spend, and more importantly, are the Mavericks good enough with a core of Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Brunson, and Finney-Smith to contend for a championship? If the answer to either question is no, the front office should be exploring the trade market.

Should the Dallas Mavericks deal Jalen Brunson before the deadline? Here is the case for and against before reaching a verdict.

Case for the Dallas Mavericks trading away Jalen Brunson before the deadline

Brunson’s value has never been higher. The 25-year-old guard is averaging 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 31.2 minutes per game this season while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 79.0 percent on his free throws. Those numbers improve as a starter to 18.4 points, 6.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 33.8 minutes a night.

It appears to be a seller’s market right now. In the Western Conference, the Thunder and Rockets are the only two teams more than two games out of a play-in position. The Pacers, Pistons, and Magic make up that group in the East when expanding to three games out.

There will be limited cap space across the league this summer, so teams are motivated to add pieces before the deadline. Any team that trades for Brunson would acquire his Bird rights and be able to go over the cap to re-sign him. His market will be limited in free agency because only a handful of teams project to have cap space.

JB has questions to answer too. Can he remain effective in the postseason after his struggles in the 2021 first-round series against the LA Clippers? Will the Mavericks be able to hold up defensively with Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson in the backcourt during the postseason? Dallas won’t get those answers until JB proves it in the playoffs.

The Dallas Mavericks could get a significant return for Jalen Brunson before the Feb. 10 trade deadline, but it would likely not fit their timeline.

Case against the Dallas Mavericks trading away Jalen Brunson before the deadline

The Mavs will be taking a step back in the short-term if they trade Brunson. Contending teams will be looking to give up a package of picks and young prospects to acquire the 25-year-old point guard.

Dallas looks to be taking a step forward after winning ten of their last 12 games. Do they want to trade away a key piece of their starting five when they have a top-five player in the league already on their roster? The answer is no. The Mavericks want to win now, and they are hungry to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Dallas is light on shot creation and playmaking behind superstar Luka Doncic already. If they trade away Brunson, the Mavs will have to put an even larger workload on Luka’s shoulders, which is not a recipe for postseason success.

JB just keeps improving. He played his way into the backup point guard role as a rookie before rarely sharing the court with Luka in his second season. Brunson forced his way into 25 minutes per game last year, and another leap has him in the starting five and playing 30-plus minutes every night.

He is only 25 years old and has more room to grow. Adding a more consistent 3-point stroke pushes JB to another level offensively. Trading away a proven starter that keeps improving is always dangerous.

The return could be massive, so should the Dallas Mavericks trade Jalen Brunson?

Should the Dallas Mavericks trade Jalen Brunson before the deadline?

The Mavs need to keep Brunson and pay him in the offseason because they have no way to replace his production. Only contending teams will be looking to trade for JB, and their offers will feature draft picks and young prospects. Dallas wants to build a title contender around Luka Doncic right now, and trading away Brunson goes counter to that goal.

Things would change if the 6’1 guard informs the Mavericks he plans to sign elsewhere in free agency. That leaves Dallas with no choice, but to shop Brunson. The Mavs are confident they can re-sign JB, and they would be in no rush to make a deal. The lack of cap space around the league this summer means JB will either re-sign with the Mavs or be part of a sign-and-trade to head elsewhere, which will give Dallas a return either way.

The best is still yet to come from Jalen Brunson. The 25-year-old just keeps improving, and fans have witnessed a more diverse offensive game this season. Brunson will be looking to make strides with his jumper, playmaking, and defense, which is just the type of player the Mavericks need.

MFFLs know that first-year GM Nico Harrison is working the phones in hopes of upgrading their roster before the trade deadline on Feb. 10. What moves will the Dallas Mavericks make? Keep it locked to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest, including those juicy trade rumors. Do not miss it.