Jalen Brunson and Mark Cuban shared a somewhat awkward and tense exchange about Brunson’s release as a free agent from the Dallas Mavericks in 2022. Brunson’s “Roommates” Podcast.
Brunson of course left the Mavericks for the New York Knicks in 2022 on a four-year, $104 million contract.
Brunson was eligible to sign a four-year, $56 million extension during the offseason, but both sides have given different accounts of whether that offer was made or whether Brunson was willing to sign it. The Mavericks could have matched or exceeded what Brunson was offered as a free agent in the summer of 2022.
But in April 2023, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told reporters that the Mavs never had a chance to retain Brunson, suggesting Brunson’s decision was made to join the Knicks.
Cuban accuses Brunson’s parentsincluding his father, Rick, a former NBA player who is now an assistant coach with the Knicks.
“Things got bad when Rick took over, when the parent or parents took over,” Cuban told reporters.
On the “Roommates” podcast, Brunson and Cuban both shared their side of what happened that summer and why a misunderstanding led Brunson to leave Dallas. The exchange was lighthearted, with Brunson explaining that he and Cuban had previously had separate conversations to discuss what happened that summer. However, the conversation took a slightly uncomfortable turn when Brunson brought up Cuban’s comments about his parents.
“The only thing I didn’t like about the whole thing was when Mark said, ‘When the parents got involved, that’s when things got out of hand,’” Brunson said. “That was the only thing that made me say, ‘Fuck, that was a little dig.’”
Cuban responded that he didn’t mean to be offensive, but didn’t elaborate on what he actually meant.
“It wasn’t really,” Cuban said. “No. I didn’t want to bring it up here. It wasn’t a dig at all. I mean, there’s no reason to bring it up. But it wasn’t just a dig, JB.”
Brunson said he got over the comment, but wanted to share that it bothered him when Cuban said it.
“Obviously, they are my parents, and so…”
“I apologize,” Cuban said. “If I put you in a certain position, that was not my intention.
“But it was hard “It was a unique negotiation in many ways.”
After Brunson said the two sides had moved on, Cuban added that things remained awkward between him and Rick Brunson.
“It’s always interesting when your dad and I cross paths. It’s like he’s making eyes at me, I’m making eyes at him, and then we smile and keep walking,” Cuban said with a laugh. “All’s well that ends well.”
“Yeah,” Brunson replied, flatly.
Brunson’s departure as a free agent turned out to be one of the biggest free agency moves in NBA history. He became an All-Star and franchise player, helping revitalize the Knicks.
The Mavericks missed the playoffs entirely in the season following Brunson’s departure, with some late-season setbacks preventing a draft pick they owed to the Knicks from being traded — something Cuban has denied doing to hurt the Knicks.
Of course, Dallas ended up trading for Kyrie Irving and reshaping the roster. They made it to the NBA Finals this year.
“I’m happy for you, the king of New York, and I’m happy for us,” Cuban said on the podcast.
Both sides appear to have moved on and are now in a good place, but there is a sense that they will never be able to agree on what exactly happened that summer.
The exchange can be seen below, with Brunson’s comments beginning at 50:45.
