Mark Cuban Says Knicks Should Have been penalized more on Brunson Deal

Mark Cuban on Knicks Jalen Brunson tampering
Image source: Charles Rex Arbogast/AP, Reuters

Mark Cuban is yet unenthusiastic about the turn of events when the New York Knicks obtained Jalen Brunson in 2022, the former Dallas Mavericks.

Jalen Brunson signed with the Knicks after the 2021-22 season, and the NBA began inquiry into the potential tampering. The league found that the New York had actually infringed the tampering regulations and had sanctioned the team by stripping it of its second-round draft pick in 2025.

Although Cuban, who owned most of the Mavericks at the time said he had largely forgotten it, he acknowledged that he felt the penalty was not appropriate in this case.

On Pablo Torre Finds Out, Cuban had said, That’s behind me. May JB have more power, may everything have more power. Did I rejoice that they received no more than a second-round pick? No.
No it ought to have been much worse. But it is what it is.”

Ever since Jalen Brunson joined New York, he has emerged to be one of the NBA stars and the embodiment of the Knicks rebirth. In the meantime, The Mavericks attempted to fill the gap and trade Kyrie Irving in the 2022-23 season.

Dallas has remained competitive even with the shakes. The team made it to the 2024 NBA Finals but lost to Boston Celtics in five games. Next was a bigger surprise the Mavericks sold Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange with Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick in 2029.

The twists didn’t stop there. Dallas would subsequently win the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery and take Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall prospect, with the first pick.

To this point, the two clubs appear to be doing alright with Jalen Brunson emerging as a New York superstar and the Mavericks remaining relevant via aggressive decisions and rebranding.

Also Read: NBA Drops “Loud City” Doc on Thunder’s 2025 Title Run

Share this post:

Tyler Roberts is a sports news writer with 7 years of experience, known for his in-depth knowledge across all major sports worldwide. He delivers clear, engaging coverage that connects fans with the latest updates, insights, and stories from the sporting world.