NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson is getting closer to joining his friends and family on the Knicks.
The Mavericks point guard is “widely expected” to sign with New York on a four-year deal exceeding $100 million, according to ESPN. A source said the Mavericks were still in play since they can give Brunson more money as the incumbent team, but the draw of playing as the lead guard is enticing for Brunson — which he can’t do next to Luka Doncic in Dallas — and the Knicks are willing to offer more than market value.
Brunson has fans with the Mavericks but isn’t the most natural fit with Doncic, considering their defensive limitations. Meanwhile, at least one top Knicks decision-maker views Brunson as a top-10 NBA point guard, according to a source in contact with the organization. That’s hardly an instant road to title contention but would certainly plug a large hole in the lineup.
