Former Mavericks Govt Defends Eager to Trade Jalen Brunson Earlier than Knicks Rise

A former Dallas Mavericks government is defending his previous analysis of Jalen Brunson after renewed criticism over feedback he made years earlier than the guard grew to become a star with the New York Knicks.

Haralabos Voulgaris, who served because the Mavericks’ director of quantitative analysis and growth till May 2021, has been below scrutiny for his stance in the course of the 2020 NBA Draft interval, when he supported the concept of exploring trades involving Brunson. He additionally stated he was excited by pursuing Tyrese Haliburton, who he considered as one of many prime gamers in that draft class.

According to the NYPost, writing on X, Voulgaris defined that Brunson was seen internally as a precious commerce asset on the time, and he believed transferring him may assist Dallas land a higher-upside participant like Haliburton.

“Jalen Brunson was one of the Mavericks’ assets who had league-wide value and was in favor of moving him if they could have acquired Haliburton,” he stated in his posts.

He added that, on the time, many throughout the group didn’t predict Brunson would become the All-NBA-level participant he has turn out to be with the Knicks in 2026. That development, he stated, is why his previous viewpoint is being judged otherwise in the present day.

Haralabos Voulgaris Defends Past Jalen Brunson Trade

Although Voulgaris left the Mavericks after the 2021 season and was not a part of the choice that allowed Brunson to go away in free company in 2022, he stated he nonetheless faces blame for the scenario, Total News reported.

The dialogue has additionally resurfaced outdated stress between Voulgaris and the Brunson household. He beforehand recalled attending a Knicks-Lakers sport the place Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father and a Knicks assistant coach, appeared to point out seen frustration towards him all through the night time. After the sport, Voulgaris stated Rick confronted him immediately.

“He told me the reason he had a problem with me was that he was looking out for his kid, and that he was upset because he thought I had tried to cost his son some money,” Voulgaris stated. He added that the trade finally ended peacefully, with each males shaking palms and even sharing a hug afterward.

Since these earlier Dallas selections, Jalen Brunson has turn out to be the centerpiece of New York’s rise. He has averaged greater than 24 factors per sport in every of his seasons with the Knicks, main them to 4 straight playoff appearances and serving to flip the workforce into an NBA Finals contender.