How Jalen Brunson Is Setting Himself Up For Massive Contract

Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The NBA playoffs give players a tremendous opportunity to earn themselves an inordinate pay raise. Some have bonuses written into their contracts that earn them an extra paycheck just for making the playoffs or reaching a certain point in the postseason.

Others, those slated to hit free agency, can catch the league’s attention and drive up their price tags with critical performances throughout the playoffs. A semi-recent example of this is Bismack Biyombo, who earned himself a four-year/$72 million contract off the tails of his 2016 postseason run with the Toronto Raptors.

In 2016, he helped lead the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals, playing inspired defense and looking the part of a future anchor at just 23 years old. He averaged 6.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 20 games. He made most of that money after taking over for an injured Jonas Valancuinas as the starter in Games 4-7 against the Miami Heat, putting up 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks to knock out Dwyane Wade.

Jalen Brunson might be doing the same thing in this year’s playoffs. Against the Utah Jazz, with Luka Doncic out for the first three games, the former Villanova Wildcat averaged 27.8 points and 4.8 assists while shooting a stellar 48 percent from the field and 36 percent from deep. He was able to step in as Dallas’s primary offensive engine and keep the Mavericks afloat, and gave them a 2-1 lead during Doncic’s absence.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dallas Mavericks Won’t Help Knicks In Jalen Brunson Sign-And-Trade

This summer, he’ll be entering a relatively shallow pool of free agents and could be one of the top players available, depending on how things shake up with James Harden, Bradley Beal, Kyrie Irving, and Zach LaVine. The former three could all accept their player options for next year, and LaVine will likely sign a max contract with his current Chicago Bulls.

That would leave Brunson the top option available and potentially start a three-way bidding war between the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, and San Antonio Spurs. They are slated to have significant cap space to spend and could certainly use a young scoring guard of Brunson’s ilk. That’s not even accounting for teams who might try to poach the rising star from the Dallas Mavericks via sign-and-trade.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dallas Mavericks Won’t Help Knicks In Jalen Brunson Sign-And-Trade

Even if Brunson decides to re-up with Dallas, his play and the market interest sure to follow should ensure that his next deal with the Mavs features a significant raise. While his next team is up in the air, he’ll undoubtedly be playing on a much more prominent figure than his current $1.8 million salary.

Even if he comes back to the ground in his next series, and he and Dallas are ousted in the second round by the Phoenix Suns. But if he can continue his ascension, Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban or whoever intends to acquire Jalen Brunson will need to call in the Brinks trucks.

Nets’ Ben Simmons Undergoes Second Back Surgery

Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons has undergone his second back surgery in three years, with high hopes from both the player and the team for

Sabonis Pleads Media to Stop Mentioning 10-0 Record Against Davis

Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis has humorously requested that the NBA media refrain from discussing his 10-0 career record when facing Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis.

Warriors’ Stephen Curry Open To Entering Politics Career

In an era where individuals from various backgrounds, including reality TV and sports, transition into political roles, the idea of more people contemplating careers in