Mavericks Might Have to Give a $20M Raise to Jalen Brunson

After rejecting the Mavericks’ four-year, $56 million extension offer, Jalen Brunson decided to bet on himself for the final season of his rookie deal.

On Monday, with Luka Doncic sidelined and Dallas in danger of dropping its first two at home to the Jazz in their first-round series, Brunson dropped a career-high 41 points with eight rebounds and five assists in a 110-104 victory. 

That’s the type of calling card the former second-rounder will need when he hits unrestricted free agency this summer.

• Brunson is earning $1.8M in the final year of a four-year, $6.1M contract signed after he won two national championships at Villanova.
• He is reportedly seeking a four-year, $80 million deal.
• Brunson averaged career highs in points (16.3), rebounds (3.9), and assists (4.8) in the regular season.
• He’s averaging 32.5, 7.5, and 5.0 in two postseason games.

While the Knicks have reportedly been interested in acquiring the guard, Mavs owner Mark Cuban told DallasBasketball.com that “we will do all we can to keep (Brunson)…”

The first player in Mavericks history with 40-plus points and no turnovers in a postseason game will try to back it up Thursday in Game 3.

With 61 starts this season, heavy minutes — with or without Luka — aren’t new for Brunson. But his importance is amplified in the superstar’s continued absence.