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‘Inflation Is a B*tch’: $100 Million Decision Awaits for Knicks as Luka Doncic Set to Lose 25 Year Old Teammate to New York

Published 06/29/2022, 11:30 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Luka Doncic and the Mavericks had a decent 2021-22 regular season with a record of 52 wins and 30 losses. They were the 4th seed in the Western Conference and gave the Golden State Warriors a tough fight in the conference finals. Unfortunately, they were unable to prevail. Luka Doncic averaged 31.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in the playoffs which gave the mavericks a must-needed push.

Not just him, Jalen Brunson took control in the playoffs when Luka was out due to injury and averaged 21.6 points. After his performance in the playoffs, it was clear there will be a lot of suitors for Brunson. 

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It is now reported that the New York Knicks would offer him a $100 million 4-year contract. And the Mavericks are set to lose a key part of their team. But not everyone could believe that the Knicks are offering $100 million to Brunson.

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And podcaster Jim Miloch is one of them. He couldn’t believe it and had to blame it on inflation. His podcast, ‘Pod of Fame’, breaks down the resumes of athletes to determine whether they should be added to their sports’ Hall of Fame.

Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson

Luka Doncic and Brunson can be a deadly duo for the Mavericks, but they will not be able to offer him the same contract as the Knicks. They are already over the salary and will only be able to offer minimum contracts and the taxpayer mid-level exception during free agency. The Mavericks had previously expressed confidence in re-signing Brunson this summer, but it now looks that their perspective may have shifted.  

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On the other hand, the New York Knicks have traded veterans Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel along with two future second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons to make $30 million cap space, as per reports. The Knicks can offer Brunson a four-year, $110 million deal when free agency opens Thursday in an attempt to pry him away from the Mavericks. The deal would pay Brunson $27.5 million annually, which is almost equal to Chris Paul’s contract with the Phoenix Suns. To further cement the relationship, New York last summer recruited Jalen’s father as an assistant under head coach Tom Thibodeau.

USA Today via Reuters

At each level, Brunson has had success. He was a McDonald’s All-American in high school and helped Villanova win two national titles. He earned the tournament’s MVP and helped Team USA’s U-19 squad win the World Cup in 2015. This year, he also helped the Mavericks reach the Western Conference finals. 

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Do you think Brunson will join the New York Knicks? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Rishabh Gupta

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Rishabh is an NBA writer at Essentially Sports. He has past experience of writing for a business political magazine and handling a news division for a startup. He completed his graduation in Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication from Vivekanand Institute of Professional Studies and has a keen interest in sports journalism.
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Edited by:

Bagavathi Eswaran