Luka Doncic admits Mavericks miss Jalen Brunson 'a lot'
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić can't help but miss ex-teammate Jalen Brunson's immaculate vibes as the Mavericks attempt to claw their way into the Play-In Tournament.
This season has been a struggle for the Mavericks, and their trade deadline acquisition of eight-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving hasn't alleviated the situation. Having lost 10 of its last 13 games, Dallas sits at 37-42, 11th in the Western Conference, a half-game behind Oklahoma City for the final Play-In spot.
During a post-practice news conference on Tuesday, Dončić discussed the differences between this Mavericks team's chemistry and last season's team, which reached the Western Conference Finals.
Dončić admitted there isn't the same connection between his teammates, which prompted one reporter to ask how much this Mavericks group misses Jalen Brunson, who joined the Knicks last summer.
"A lot," Dončić replied after a long pause. "I mean, amazing guy, amazing player, for sure."
Before last season, Brunson was eligible for a four-year, $55.5 million extension, but Dallas was reluctant to offer it until he began to break out. Brunson felt the offer came in "too late" and decided to test the free agent market, which was the right move.
In 79 games in 2021-22, the former Villanova Wildcat averaged 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game before going on a tear in the playoffs. Over 18 playoff games last season, Brunson averaged 21.6 points per game, including a 41-point outburst against Utah in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round.
Brunson's stellar play earned him a four-year, $104 million deal with the Knicks. Since then, he has elevated his game and helped the Knicks (46-33) clinch a playoff berth. Through 68 games this season, Brunson has averaged 24 PPG and 6.2 APG, both career highs.
While Dallas must find it difficult to see Brunson heading to the playoffs in a leading role, his departure could inadvertently ensure that the season won't be a complete disaster.
Coincidentally, New York received Dallas' 2023 first-round pick as part of the 2019 trade that sent Kristaps Porziņģis to the Mavericks, but it's top-10 protected. If the season ended Wednesday, the pick likely wouldn't convey to New York, as Dallas holds the 10th-worst record in the Association.
Of course, Dallas could still retain its pick while making the Play-In Tournament, although it would require a considerable amount of luck.
The Mavericks' next opportunity to salvage their season comes against Sacramento (48-31) on Wednesday. Despite a recent report that Dallas is "seriously considering" shutting down Dončić and Irving, Dončić dismissed the idea, saying, "When there's still a chance, I'm going to play."
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