Mark Cuban Apologizes to Jalen Brunson for “Jab” During 2022 Free Agency Negotiations

Jalen Brunson bet on himself when he decided to sign with the Knicks over the Mavericks. Mark Cuban and the Dallas front office offered him a paltry 4-year/ $55 million deal and an irked Brunson looked elsewhere. Cuban has now appeared on the Roommates Show podcast where he surprisingly handed out an apology to the Knicks superstar guard.

Cuban and Brunson discussed the failed free agency negotiations that took place back in 2022. Their back and forth was productive as they finally confessed how they felt during this time in their lives as they delved into what really happened . Mark congratulated his former player and wished him well for his future endeavors with how he has brought some limelight back into MSG.



Seeing how the two have stayed in touch even after the strained ending in Dallas, Brunson felt it was time to let Mark know what stood out during those talks. Before JB could go any further, Cuban interrupted him to clear what his stance was back then. As Brunson mentioned how he felt a certain way regardless of what Mark meant, the billionaire owner of the Mavs went on to apologize to the All-Star guard.

Brunson felt that Mark took a shot at his parents getting involved in the contract negotiations, making it messy. However, Cuban’s intention was not to take a shot at Jalen’s parents but instead meant that these contract extension talks should only be between the player, his agent, and the team. Regardless of how things went down, Mark still apologized and wished Brunson well once again, urging him to stay in touch in the future.

Mark Cuban pinned the blame on Brunson’s father Many people believe that the Dallas Mavericks fumbled Brunson’s contract extension back in 2022 free agency. JB went on to average nearly 30 points per game for the Knicks while also finishing top five in MVP voting. Now, according to SportsIllustrated , the Dallas Mavericks’ owner blamed Brunson’s parents for the negotiations falling apart.

“Where it went south was when Rick took over, when the parent took over, or parents took over...

I mean, there was no negotiation. They didn’t give us a number..

.That’s the way it works. Right? You have a relationship with the agent and they want to at least give you a chance because you helped develop the player.

You had him for four years. OK, let’s work together.” Unfortunately for Dallas at the time, Brunson left the Mavs and went on to become a star in New York.

The Mavericks did luck out however as they snagged Kyrie Irving at the 2023 trade deadline to pair with their star sensation, Luka Doncic. So, in the end, things worked out for both parties and the strained relationship doesn’t seem strained anymore..