Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson has been a hot name on the NBA trade rumor mill. He has reportedly piqued interest from the New York Knicks (information per Marc Berman of the New York Post) and Detroit Pistons (information per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto).
Dallas is in a funky spot with Brunson. He’s a continually improving and productive player who’s a free agent after this season. As it concerns a trade, Brunson’s $1.8 million salary complicates potential trade offers. But where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Here are three ideal trade destinations for Jalen Brunson.
Related: Updated NBA trade rumors leading up to Feb. 10 deadline
3. Jalen Brunson becomes part of the Indiana Pacers’ retooling effort
- Pacers get: Jalen Brunson
- Mavericks get: Justin Holiday and Indiana’s 2023 first-round draft pick
Myles Turner, Caris LeVert, Domantas Sabonis and Justin Holiday are all prime trade candidates, and the Pacers are poised to look much different in a month. Maybe the new-look Pacers include the emerging Brunson?
Brunson would become head coach Rick Carlisle’s primary point guard, making Malcolm Brogdon more of a two-guard. That duo would make for a quick backcourt with upside. Furthermore, Brunson’s arrival helps the Pacers retool, rather than embark on a full-fledged rebuild, as the University of Villanova product has been a vital source of offense for the Mavericks this season.
Still 25, the best could be yet to come for Brunson, especially if he lands on a team where he gets more touches like the Pacers. He does a little bit of everything. Brunson can score off the dribble, is a respectable shooter and defender and plays with a bit of an edge.
- Jalen Brunson stats (2021-22): 15.8 points and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 50.1/33.8/80.2
Indiana can send Dallas Holiday, who takes on a high-minute role and is under contract through the 2022-23 NBA season, and a future first-rounder for Brunson. The Pacers will have acquired plenty of youth and draft capital for some of their starters, offsetting what they surrender for Brunson.
All that being said, the Pacers may prefer to simply sell, rather than both buy and sell at the trade deadline.
Related: Dallas Mavericks trade scenarios ahead of deadline
2. Jalen Brunson joins the Houston Rockets’ rebuild
- Rockets get: Jalen Brunson
- Mavericks get: Jae’Sean Tate and Brooklyn Nets’ 2023 first-round draft pick
The Rockets are in the midst of a deeply entrenched rebuild. Brunson would be an enhancement who fits their timeline from a couple points of view.
Yes, the Rockets have Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and Garrison Mathews. At the same time, they don’t necessarily have a true point guard of the future. Brunson would be head coach Stephen Silas’ answer, running the show for his offense. The former would take some attention off Green and Porter, allowing them to get the ball in more opportune scoring situations while Brunson can find Mathews and others for clean looks from the perimeter.
Houston should be able to keep Brunson past this season, particularly if they trade Eric Gordon, who has a $19 million average annual salary. Brunson would be a stabilizing force for a team that’s looking to take some momentum into the offseason by winning games at a better and more consistent clip. With Brunson, Green and Porter out on the perimeter, the Rockets can use their upcoming first-round draft pick on a player to make a difference in the frontcourt.
- Jalen Brunson contract per Spotrac: last season of a four-year rookie deal
Houston can send Dallas Tate, a productive young wing, and one of their bevy of future first-rounders for Brunson. The Rockets leave this trade still having an amplitude of draft picks and youth. Meanwhile, the Mavericks get wing depth and some much-needed draft capital.
What could stop the Rockers from trading for Brunson, though, is them preferring to ride out the season with the young players they have in the building.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA playoff and championship predictions
1. Jalen Brunson to the Washington Wizards
- Wizards get: Jalen Brunson and Dwight Powell
- Mavericks get: Spencer Dinwiddie
The Wizards started the season strong and have since faded. At the moment, they’re playing at-best .500 basketball. They also recently blew a 35-point lead at home. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus notes that the Wizards are open to trading recently signed point guard Spencer Dinwiddie. In that case, the Wizards make sense for Brunson.
The 25-year-old would take the point guard reigns of head coach Wes Unseld Jr.’s offense, which is one that needs more scoring. Brunson gives the Wizards a gritty scorer who gets points off the dribble and from the perimeter. He would be getting the ducks in a row for a roster with a trove of talented scorers.
Any move the Wizards make is calculated with Bradley Beal’s future, as the star guard could hit the open market this offseason. Brunson fits the Wizards with or without Beal present.
On one hand, Brunson gives the Wizards a reliable and productive lead guard to boost the offense with Beal by his side. Meanwhile, if they lose Beal this offseason, Brunson can be part of a retooling effort that includes several compelling players like Kyle Kuzma, Rui Hachimura, Daniel Gafford, Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija.
Washington sends Dallas Dinwiddie, who becomes their starting point guard, for Brunson and Powell, who likely gets rerouted. The Wizards get to see how Brunson fares in their operation and at the very least get out of Dinwiddie’s $54 million contract while the Mavericks don’t skip a beat and get their replacement for Brunson.