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Jalen Brunson left the Dallas Mavericks in the offseason to join the New York Knicks. While the Mavericks have struggled without him, the Knicks are flourishing with him as the point guard.
Former NBA player Jamal Crawford had this to say on how Brunson’s departure has affected Dallas:
“The Mavericks’ problems started in the summer. When Jalen Brunson left, that team lost their identity.
"He was somebody that Luka [Doncic] respected. He’s also somebody who could get it done and play with him as well. When they lost him, they kinda lost their way.
"He was a winner and the fact that he can get Luka on track. ‘Yo, we gotta get some good possessions.’ He was the quarterback, the thinker."
It was supposed to be family ties that pushed Brunson to leave Dallas to play in New York. Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father, is on the Knicks’ coaching staff.
“JB,” however, later revealed that money had something to do with his change of scenery. Brunson wanted a four-year, $56 million contract, the same one former teammate Dorian Finney-Smith received from the Mavericks.
Dallas’ front office took its time, eventually offering the deal to Jalen Brunson only after the 2022 trade deadline. It was very evident by then that the Mavericks were looking at him as a trade bait, rather than a long-term partner of Luka Doncic.
When the Knicks came calling, Brunson was already halfway out of Dallas. New York offered an irresistible four-year, $104 million offer. He also has a player option entering the 2025-26 season when he’s scheduled to earn $24.9 million.
Jamal Crawford emphasized that the Mavs’ struggles are due to Jalen Brunson’s departure and have nothing to do with Kyrie Irving’s arrival:
“Shoutout to Jalen Brunson. He’s been as important for the Knicks, but when the Mavs lost him, they haven’t been able to kind of find their way. Kyrie Irving is a special talent, he’s a special player. This isn’t Kyrie’s fault. You can’t throw these two [Doncic and Irving] together and say, ‘Figure it out with 20 games left.’”
The New York Knicks need Jalen Brunson to clinch a playoff berth
The New York Knicks' 101-92 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday improved their record to 44-33. They are now fifth in the Eastern Conference and need just two wins to punch a ticket into the playoffs.
Nailing that coveted spot, however, will be more difficult than they anticipated. The Knicks just lost All-Star forward Julius Randle to a sprained ankle and will be out for the remainder of the regular season.
Randle suffered the injury in the Knicks’ win over the Heat and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Jalen Brunson’s presence will be needed more than ever for New York to join the postseason.
New York still have five games on their schedule. They will have to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Washington Wizards, the Indiana Pacers twice and the New Orleans Pelicans. Brunson will be crucial for the Knicks to go 2-5 to close out their season.
Also read: What are Jalen Brunson's contract details with the New York Knicks? All you need to know
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