Jalen Brunson contract breakdown: Details of Mavericks guard’s deal, salary and impending free agency
Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson continues to boost his free agency stock, fresh off a career-high 41-point outing in Game 2 of their first round series against the Utah Jazz.
In the absence of Luka Doncic, Brunson took on the lion’s share of the offensive responsibility, torching the Jazz for 41 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals on 15-of-25 shooting from the field and 6-of-10 shooting from the 3-point line to level the series.
NBA LEAGUE PASS: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)
With the 25-year-old set to hit free agency in the summer, the Mavericks will have a tough time fending off interest from rival teams for his services and in the great words of Fat Joe: “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.”
Here is the outlook of Brunson’s contract and impending free agency.
NBA LEAGUE PASS: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)
Jalen Brunson’s contract with Mavericks
After being selected with the No. 33 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Brunson signed a four-year, $6.1 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks which takes him through to the end of the 2021-22 season.
He will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer and is sure to attract plenty of interest around the league.
2021-22 | 2022-23 | |
Jalen Brunson | $1,802,057 | UFA |
(All salary figures courtesy of Spotrac)
Jalen Brunson’s upcoming free agency
Brunson enjoyed a career year with the Mavericks in 2021-22, averaging 16.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 79 regular season games — all career-highs. He was incredibly efficient shooting 50.2 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from the 3-point line and 84 percent at the free-throw line.
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted, Brunson is severely outperforming his current deal:
Jalen Brunson has outperformed his $1.8M contract this season by $29.7M. @profitxai pic.twitter.com/vMZbmWxy0k
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) April 19, 2022
Brunson has reportedly attracted interest from several NBA teams, making the Mavericks’ chances of retaining the guard even tougher.
According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, the Detroit Pistons have “have real interest in him,” with aim of pairing him with Rookie of the Year finalist in No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft Cade Cunningham.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks have long-admired Brunson, with a large contingent of their front office in attendance for Game 1 in Dallas, including Executive Vice President William Wesley, front office members Allan Houston and Makhtar N’diaye as well as power forward Julius Randle.
As an unrestricted free agent, Brunson can pick his next team and the price tag that goes with it, setting up a blockbuster summer for the former Villanova standout.
Jalen Brunson’s career earnings
Year | Team | Salary |
2018-19 | Mavericks | $1,230,000 |
2019-20 | Mavericks | $1,416,852 |
2020-21 | Mavericks | $1,663,861 |
2021-22 | Mavericks | $1,802,057 |
Earnings | $6,112,770 |