BRUNSON BURNER: to NYK for 4yrs/$104M (no SnT) | NYK docked 2025 2nd for tampering

[Dahlsim]

I don't think anyone but JB could give us the truly accurate version.....

Agreed and it was JB's direct interview with JJ Redick that inspired my question.  
Thanks for the detailed breakdown and all the insight in the responses. 

For the most part his interview appears to be in sync with everything you said, except of course you add more detail around what happened after "the window" so to speak closed and the unexpected influence of Detroit.  
Its amazing how often over the years teams that seem to be salary cap constrained amazingly find some way to get out of those constraints when they are motivated enough to want to. 

New York was amazingly motivated, and they found a way.  I think its why teams sometimes have to overpay to lock up talent before its clear that the talent is going to be worth the $.  Projection of talent.  A failure to project accurately one way or the other.  One of the reasons the best front offices are worth the big bucks. 

Jalen's words here at about 1:40 if I hear it right seems to be "like, I went to them before they officially offered it (the extension) to me, and by then it was too late. (then in context is when they did offer which was after I started having a 'monster season') ".  



So to offer my 2 cents on this and another 2 cents on the Mavs offseason, it seems yeah, they had a window.  They lost a really good talent without getting a return.    Seems like their super star is even putting out ??? on his long term plans? 
It required a prediction, a projection on Jalen Brunson's talent and career arc and yes, they missed it.  

I'm not saying Brunson will live up the contract he received, but it does appear that with good projection the Mavs could have had a player locked in for another 4 years that would likely be worth significantly more either on roster or in trade value.  Kidd and company had the inside track and someone was too late in at the draw. 

I like Brunson.  My take on him before he "blew up" so to speak with the nice playoff run, was that he has a ceiling kind of like a Chris Paul light.    He may not reach it, but his game suggests that sort of ceiling. 

He also seems like the sort of character you want, a real winning family and college pedigree.    
On the other hand after the window closed, his price shot up and he had a super motivated NBA big market city even go out and hire his dad, the calculus changed and I can see Dallas mostly dropping out.  Mavs having THJ returning and having Spencer Dinwiddie, can't see them living with too much money tied to JB at this point. 

Mavs Offseason: 

Mavs season now besides a beefed up Luka, has good stuff in Dinwiddie who I thought was a good move, THJ who is still talented but brings a different dynamic from Brunson if returning healthy, and McGee who I think was always underrated and criminally underused by Rick Carlisle. 
The wildcard to how far they could go to me is clearly Christian Wood.  I've watched his career arc from his start in Philly.  He has a super high ceiling but his character, unlike Brunson, has always been the big question mark.  If Kidd can work similar magic on CW as he did with Brunson and the team, the Mavs may not miss Brunson in the end.