Jalen Brunson: If I had stayed with the Mavericks back then, I believe I could still have maximized my value.

In a recent interview, NBA star Jalen Brunson discussed his career experiences and expressed his belief that he would still have been able to contribute his value if he had stayed with the Dallas Mavericks.

Jalen Brunson, a graduate of Villanova University, was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA draft. He played for the Dallas Mavericks for four seasons before joining the New York Knicks in June 2022.

In the 2025/26 NBA regular season, Jalen Brunson played 74 games for the New York Knicks, averaging 26.6 points per game with a field goal percentage of 46.7% and a three-point field goal percentage of 36.9%.

During the playoffs, Jalen Brunson continued to play an important role for Mike Brown's team, and in the Finals, he helped the New York Knicks win the championship alongside teammates such as Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart.

Jalen Brunson, now 29, said, "If I had stayed with the Dallas Mavericks, I believe I would still be able to maximize my value. Whatever role the team wants me to play, I will do my best."

It's worth mentioning that Jalen Brunson played alongside Luka Doncic during his time with the Dallas Mavericks, while Luka Doncic now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

When asked if he believed he could still achieve success as Luka Doncic's "sidekick" if he were still playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Jalen Brunson said, "Absolutely. Once you understand his abilities and what he can bring to the team, you'll know that just because of a player like him, there are thirty or forty nationally televised games every season. So, that would also give me the opportunity to become a better player."

"Being able to play with him, understand his style of play, and help him is an opportunity I've always looked forward to, and a role I really enjoy because he's not only an excellent player but also a great person. So, the answer is definitely yes."

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