Knicks Tampering Charges? 'Not My Job to Determine,' Says Mavs Owner Mark Cuban
Whether the New York Knicks tampered with Jalen Brunson before free agency or not, it might not have mattered either way, as Brunson seemed determined to join the team he grew up loving as soon as he possibly could. However, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban still feels a certain way about how the Knicks conducted business with Brunson.
During an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Cuban addressed concerns about the Knicks' potential tampering when it came to the reported arrival of Brunson, who officially signed his nine-figure contract on Tuesday. The prized free agent acquisition is set to take Manhattan after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Mavericks, which concluded with a postseason showcase that saw him put up career-bests in nearly every major statistical category.
Though Brunson's new contract has yet to be officially announced by the team, New York appeared to be his destination from the moment he burst onto the national scene with a breakout performance in the Western Conference quarterfinals. Knicks management, including William "Worldwide Wes" Wesley, were on hand for Dallas playoff games and the team also hired Brunson's father Rick as an assistant coach.
When asked by hosts Eddie Johnson and Justin Termine if the Knicks "did anything wrong" when it came to luring Brunson, Cuban brandished a sarcastic smile.
"No, they were perfect. I saw nothing wrong at all," Cuban said, his voice raising with a tongue-in-cheek shrug. "That's just the business, that's just the way it works ... that's not my job to determine. That's up to the NBA. It is what it is, it's done."
To Cuban's credit, he did wish Brunson well and hinted that the Knicks were getting a high-character point guard in addition to the one creating the type of on-court noise generated during the Mavericks' run to the Western Conference Finals. Brunson averaged 21.6 points over 18 playoff games, besting his seasonal career-best of 16.8 earned during the most recent campaign.
"I wish Jalen the best. He's a great guy," Cuban said of his second-round pick from the 2018 draft. "I mean, it'd be one thing if I didn't like him, you know, and I thought he was just a jerk. But he's really, really a good, good, good guy with a heart of gold. So I wish him nothing but the best."
