Getty Image / Megan Briggs
A couple of months ago, the Dallas Mavericks made a move they believed would make them a contender in the Western Conference.
They traded Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 1st rounder, and two 2nd rounders for Kyrie Irving.
The move has not had the intended effect.
Since trading for Kyrie, the Mavericks have gone 8-15 and have fallen out of the Western Conference play-in.
Amid the team’s turmoil, Luka Doncic was asked about a former teammate whose new team is having much more success.
Luka was asked how much the team has missed Jalen Brunson season. According to Luka, they’ve missed him a lot.
Luka Doncic mentioned that Mavs haven't been able to recreate chemistry from last season. How much have they missed Jalen Brunson?
"A lot," Doncic said with a pained smile. "I mean, amazing guy, amazing player, for sure."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 4, 2023
It’s not hard to see why Luka Doncic and the Mavs would be missing Brunson right about now.
Brunson has been an absolute stud for the Knicks during his first season in New York.
Brunson has averaged 24 points and 6.2 assists for the Knicks as he has helped them return to a spot in the playoffs after a disappointing 2021-22 season.
Things went much more smoothly last year with Brunson still on the roster. The Mavs were able to make a run to the Western Conference Finals before falling short against the Warriors.
If they had been able to hold onto Jalen Brunson, it also would have prevented them from ever making the Kyrie Trade, which looks like a move the Mavs must be regretting at this point.
Unfortunately for the Mavs, Brunson probably doesn’t feel the same way as he prepares for his first playoff run with the Knicks, which will most likely start with a 4-5 matchup against the Cavaliers.