DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 25: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts while taking on the Utah Jazz in the second quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
As the NBA Playoffs drag on, some of the first-round matchups are starting to get very interesting. While some series are over, some of them are going to come down to the wire.
Teams like the Boston Celtics made quick work of their opponents and other teams look prepped to do the same. But then there are series like the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz that look like they could go the distance.
3 landing spots for Jalen Brunson in free agency this offseason
Let’s focus on that last series for a second, as the Mavs have managed to go up 3-2 on the Jazz. But that’s not the most impressive part about it. What’s most impressive is that the Mavericks were without Luka Doncic for the first three games.
Doncic returned for Games 4 and 5, but with how well the Mavs were playing beforehand, it wasn’t even completely needed. And that’s largely thanks to the play of point guard Jalen Brunson.
Through the first three games of the series, Brunson was averaging 32.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from behind the three-point line. And even with Doncic back, Brunson has put up big-time numbers in both games.
With Brunson set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, teams will likely be willing to pay a ton of money for his services. The only question left to be answered is where which team will the soon-to-be 26-year-old end up playing for next season?
Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz that look like they could go the distance.</p>
<h2>3 landing spots for Jalen Brunson in free agency this offseason</h2>
<p>Let’s focus on that last series for a second, as the Mavs have managed to go up 3-2 on the Jazz. But that’s not the most impressive part about it. What’s most impressive is that the Mavericks were without Luka Doncic for the first three games.</p>
<p>Doncic returned for Games 4 and 5, but with how well the Mavs were playing beforehand, it wasn’t even completely needed. And that’s largely thanks to the play of point guard Jalen Brunson.</p>
<p>Through the first three games of the series, Brunson was averaging 32.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from behind the three-point line. And even with Doncic back, Brunson has put up big-time numbers in both games.</p>
<p>With Brunson set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, teams will likely be willing to pay a ton of money for his services. The only question left to be answered is where which team will the soon-to-be 26-year-old end up playing for next season?</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/28/landing-spots-jalen-brunson-offseason/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Landing Spot #1 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-444482" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/28/landing-spots-jalen-brunson-offseason/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1393724261.jpeg" alt="Jalen Brunson" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1393724261.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1393724261-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks after Brunson scored against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 landing spots for Jalen Brunson in free agency this offseason: Dallas Mavericks</h2>
<p>As boring as it may sound, this could be the most likely landing spot for Jalen Brunson this summer. He’s played incredibly well for the Dallas Mavericks and they definitely don’t want to let him do.</p>
<p>For the entirety of Luka Doncic’s time in Dallas, the one thing that they’ve always wanted is extra ball-handling around him. And while the trade for Spencer Dinwiddie helped with that, Brunson’s emergence as a secondary star has been the main factor aiding them in that area.</p>
<p>Brunson is perfectly capable of starting alongside Doncic, but can also come off the bench if they need him to. Although he’s a bit undersized at 6’1, that hasn’t slowed him down in the slightest.</p>
<p>Dallas drafted Brunson back in 2018 with the third pick in the second round and over the past two seasons, he’s improved tenfold. As he’s been given more opportunities, he’s shown that he’s fully capable of being an integral part of the Mavs’ lineup.</p>
<p>Although most people wouldn’t have projected him to be this good, it’s looking like Brunson could turn into the perfect secondary star behind Doncic.</p>
<p>When the Mavs picked him in Round 2, no one could have foreseen him becoming this crucial to their team’s success. But now that he’s proven to be an invaluable asset, they should do everything possible to keep him around.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/28/landing-spots-jalen-brunson-offseason/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Landing Spot #2 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-444483" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/28/landing-spots-jalen-brunson-offseason/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1313761531.jpeg" alt="Jalen Brunson" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1313761531.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1313761531-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 21: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to a missed shot and rebound against Jerami Grant #9 of the Detroit Pistons in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 21, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 landing spots for Jalen Brunson in free agency this offseason: Detroit Pistons</h2>
<p>At face value, this may seem like a bit of a weird fit for Jalen Brunson. The Detroit Pistons finished the year as one of the worst teams, and Brunson projects to be a guy who can help a team win right now.</p>
<p>However, there have been a ton of rumors that the Pistons are extremely interested in Brunson. They and the New York Knicks were rumored as two teams set to be very interested in Brunson once he hits the open market this summer.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/28/landing-spots-jalen-brunson-offseason/"https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33801390/nba-playoffs-2022-jalen-brunson-star-turn-dallas-mavericks-massive-free-agency-implications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim MacMahon of ESPN</a> reported that Detroit believes Brunson would fit beautifully next to their young point guard, Cade Cunningham, in a similar way in which he plays alongside Luka Doncic.</p>
<p>Coming out of the draft, Cunningham drew comparisons to Doncic, even stating himself that that’s how he wants to play. If Brunson were to join the Pistons, he would probably play a very similar role there.</p>
<p>Despite their bottom-tier record this season, the Pistons showed a lot of promise down the stretch of the year. They went 10-14 since the All-Star break and showed some impressive defensive potential.</p>
<p>During that time, Cunningham showed flashes of turning into a superstar, too. Adding Brunson to the mix could be enough to help them with a serious push for the Play-In.</p><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_444484" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-full wp-image-444484" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/28/landing-spots-jalen-brunson-offseason/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1164,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1074708310.jpeg" alt="Jalen Brunson" width="1600" height="1164" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1074708310.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1074708310-768x559.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">PORTLAND, OR – DECEMBER 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots over Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks at Moda Center on December 23, 2018 in Portland, Oregon.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 landing spots for Jalen Brunson in free agency this offseason: Portland Trail Blazers</h2>
<p>Ah yes, another team with a superstar point guard where Jalen Brunson would be able to be a great secondary option. With the Portland Trail Blazers trading CJ McCollum at the trade deadline this year, they’’ likely be very active in free agency.</p>
<p>Damian Lillard is now effectively alone in Portland. With the cap space they created, however, they will likely be looking to sign him a co-star to help the Blazers back to relevancy next year.</p>
<p>However, this year’s free agency class is supposed to be one of the weakest in recent memory. This means they’ll have to make most of their moves through trades.</p>
<p>That being said, if there was one place for them to spend their money, stealing Brunson away from the Mavs could be a good place. Plus, he’s just cheap enough for them to swing it, but good enough to make a serious impact.</p>
<p>Outside of Brunson, the best free agents the Blazers could realistically target are the likes of TJ Warren and Montrezl Harrell. Of those three, Brunson is far and away the best option.</p>
<p>Adding Brunson through free agency and then trying to make trades to surround him and Lillard with more talent could be the best possible game plan for the Trail Blazers this summer.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="5 roster moves the Lakers must make this offseason" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/28/landing-spots-jalen-brunson-offseason/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 5 roster moves the Lakers must make this offseason </a> </div>
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