Jalen Brunson has emerged as a superstar since joining the New York Knicks back in the 2022 offseason. Four years later, the All-Star guard has led the Knicks to the 2026 NBA Finals after New York swept the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With Brunson dominating on basketball’s biggest stage, the NBA world cannot believe the Dallas Mavericks had a backcourt of Brunson and Luka Dončić before letting the former walk for free and trading the latter in a one-sided deal to the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA World Roasts Dallas Mavericks for Luka Dončić, Jalen Brunson Fumble
In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Mavericks traded up to land Dončić at the No. 3 pick and then took Brunson at No. 33 overall. While Dončić immediately became a star, averaging 21.2 points, 6.0 assists, and 7.8 rebounds during his rookie season, Brunson started slower. He put up 9.3 points and 3.2 assists in his first campaign, but his stats were lost behind Dončić’s incredible start.
However, Brunson’s final season in Dallas proved he was ready to take the next step. He scored 16.3 points, dished out 4.8 assists, and grabbed 3.9 rebounds in the 2021-22 campaign. That same season, his scoring average increased to 21.6 points per game over 18 playoff games. Dallas had a lethal scoring backcourt in Brunson and Dončić, but the team let the former walk in free agency that summer.
Brunson has said that he wanted to stay in Dallas long-term and loved the role he was in, which makes his departure sting even worse for Mavericks fans.
Fast forward four years, Dončić is one of the best players in the NBA and Brunson is competing for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. In contrast, the Mavericks just started a rebuild after trading away Anthony Davis, the prized return in the Dončić trade. Cooper Flagg displayed his superstar potential in his rookie campaign, but Dallas fans will always wonder what could’ve been if the team kept Dončić and Brunson together.
After Brunson lifted the Knicks to the NBA Finals, many Mavericks fans and NBA observers couldn’t believe Dallas lost both members of their star-studded backcourt.
@Mavs_FFL posted a picture of Brunson and Dončić, commenting, “We fumbled the best draft of all-time 💔.”
The two stars combine for nine All-Star selections, seven All-NBA honors, and eight top-10 MVP finishes. Mavericks fan and NBA media director Jason Gallagher shared a similar stance.
“Future generations are going to think this is AI because surely no organization would be dumb enough to screw this up…”
Sports director Bob Pompeani also highlighted the Mavericks’ mistake.
“To think the Dallas #Mavericks had BOTH Luka Dončić and Jalen Brunson!! Both drafted in same 2018 draft and played 4 years together.”
To think the Dallas #Mavericks had BOTH Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson !!
Both drafted in same 2018 draft and played 4 years together
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) May 26, 2026
NBA sportswriter Naveen Ganglani painted a dark picture for Mavericks fans, as both Dončić and Brunson have enjoyed playoff success.
“The last 3 NBA Finals had two teams led by Luka Dončić and Jalen Brunson. Both guys were with the Dallas Mavericks at the same time and now both guys are no longer there. An absolute disasterclass in roster management,” he commented.
PFSN’s Alex Kennedy broke the situation down further. He reminded Dallas fans that Dončić and Brunson wanted to stay with the Mavs long-term.
“Mavericks fans, look away… Jalen Brunson in 2024: ‘I really did want to stay in Dallas. I thought I would be there for a long time and I liked my role there.’ Luka Dončić in 2025: ‘I thought I was going to stay [in Dallas] forever.’ Where would Dallas be today with this duo?” questioned Kennedy.
Mavericks fans, look away…
Jalen Brunson in 2024: “I really did want to stay in Dallas. I thought I would be there for a long time and I liked my role there.”
Luka Doncic in 2025: “I thought I was going to stay [in Dallas] forever.”
Where would Dallas be today with this duo? pic.twitter.com/wMVDjxj2tL
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 26, 2026
One user added: “Letting Brunson walk for free might be worse than the Luka Dončić trade tbh.”
Hindsight has definitely not been kind to the Mavericks for letting Brunson and Dončić go.
