"I apologize" - Mark Cuban gets candid with Jalen Brunson about failed negotiation talks with Mavericks
After failing to agree to terms on a contract extension, Jalen Brunson departed the Dallas Mavericks for the New York Knicks in 2022 NBA free agency. Afterward, Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban seemingly blamed Brunson's parents for orchestrating the move. However, Cuban recently cleared the air with his former player.
Since joining New York on a four-year, $104 million contract in 2022, Brunson has blossomed into the Knicks' franchise player. He is coming off his first All-Star and All-NBA campaign, garnering All-NBA second team honors.
Brunson's ascension has sparked questions about why Cuban and the Mavericks didn't finalize a contract extension with him before he entered free agency. Last year, Cuban noted that the Mavericks wanted to retain Brunson, but his parents interfered.
"Where it went south was when Rick [Brunson] took over, when the parent took over, or parents took over," Cuban said. "... JB kept on telling us he liked being here. JB never gave us an indication. It was only the parents that were the issue."
Brunson's father, Rick Brunson, has been a Knicks assistant coach since 2022. So, naturally, many assumed he played a key role in his son's decision to head to New York.
However, earlier this year, Jalen Brunson said he was willing to sign an extension with Dallas multiple times early in the 2021-22 season. According to the one-time All-Star, the Mavericks held off on making him an offer until it was too late.
On Thursday's edition of the "Roommates Show," Cuban and Brunson ironed out their differences. The Mavericks minority owner first commended Brunson for his accomplishments in the "Big Apple."
"All's well that ends well," Cuban said. "I'm happy for you, the 'King of New York,' and I'm happy for us. It is what it is, that's the NBA."
Afterward, Brunson recounted how he took exception to Cuban calling out his parents.
"The only thing I didn't like about the whole situation was that Mark said, 'When the parents got involved, that's when things got messy,'" Brunson said. "That was the one thing I was like, 'Damn, that was a little jab.'"
However, Cuban clarified his remarks, apologizing to Brunson for the misunderstanding.
"It wasn't really. ... It wasn't just a jab, JB, for real," Cuban said. "I apologize. ... That wasn't the intention. But it was hard to deal with. It was a unique negotiation in a lot of different ways."
The two then agreed to move past the ordeal once and for all.
"It's over and done with," Brunson said. "We're here now, and that's that."
"Literally, I'm happy for you," Cuban said. "... We still keep in touch. I'm always sending you, 'Congrats,' and this and that. So, there's definitely no hard feelings at all."
Also Read: "He's a Top 3 pick" - Mark Cuban admits underestimating Jalen Brunson's potential amid Knicks' resurgence
Mark Cuban jokes about his interactions with Jalen Brunson's father
After ensuring he and Jalen Brunson were on the same page, Mark Cuban joked about his relationship with his ex-player's father.
According to Cuban, since Brunson left Dallas, whenever he and Rick Brunson see each other, they have lighthearted, silent encounters.
"But it's always interesting when your dad and I walk by each other," Cuban said. "It's just like, he gives me the eye, I give him the eye, and then we smile and keep on walking."
So, Cuban and the Brunson family don't appear to be harboring any resentment toward each other.
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