2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[SleepingHero]

I think Brunson could demand 8 to 14 million in the open market. The lower end of that should require him being a long term core piece and I am even okay with that on the higher end. 

There is no way Brunson gets anything less than 18 mil a year on the open market. A 22 year old averaging a 50/40/90 with flashes of something more is going to get money whipped by a team that is desperate, maybe multiple teams. Lets look at some recent contracts for young guards from desperate teams.

Fultz a 22 year old guard with 12/5/3 averages with terrible shooting- 3 year 50 mil extension, average salary is 16.5 mil a year

Rozier, 24 at the time with 7/4/2 averages- 3 year 57 mil contract, average salary of 18.9 mil a year. 

Malik Beasley 4 years 70 mil. Luke Kennard 4 years 64 mil. Derrick White 4 years 70 mil (the closest Brunson comparison). Schroeder 4 years 70 mil. 

And it goes on.

Brunson is closer to Derrick White/Dennis Schroeder than he is to Fultz and Roizer. There is no chance the Mavs can try and finagle a way to get Brunson on an uber value contract like 8-14 mil. And they can't match any big offer from another team due to Brunson's UFA status.

You're right the Mavs don't have to trade Brunson now, but his value is at an all time high and they cannot just let Brunson walk for nothing. Further I cannot see Brunson choosing to take a paycut and a lesser role in free agency to stay in Dallas versus going to be a starter somewhere else.