Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson's Postgame Decision After Knicks-Lakers Earns Praise

In what seems like a decision made decades ago at this point, the Mavericks once got rid of a budding young star who the team felt did not quite measure up to what the organization's standards would be going forward. That probably sounds eerily familiar given what happened last month with the trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers, but it actually happened first Doncic's former teammate and 2018 draft mate, Jalen Brunson.

Back in the summer of 2022, Brunson had established himself as a breakout star, a former second-round pick who averaged 16.3 points in his fourth season with the Mavericks. Brunson was hitting free agency, and Dallas wanted little to do with a big-time contract offer for Brunson. 

The Knicks gambled on him, though, with a $100 million deal, and it paid off handsomely. In three seasons in New York, Brunson has been an All-Star twice and has averaged 26.5 points, with 6.8 assists.