Excerpted from THE WONDER BOY: Luka Doncic and the Curse of Greatness Copyright © 2025 Tim MacMahon. Published by Grand Central Publishing, a Hachette Book Group company. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.
MINUTES AFTER THE Mavs' 2021-22 season ended, Mark Cuban indicated that Jalen Brunson's return was a sure thing -- casually dropping "obviously after re-signing JB" while discussing offseason plans during a live interview on Bally Sports Southwest. Throughout the Mavs' playoff run, as Brunson's value in the upcoming free agency market seemingly soared, Cuban repeatedly reminded reporters that the Mavs had the guard's Bird rights, meaning the franchise could exceed the salary cap to keep him, as well as offer larger annual raises and a longer contract than other suitors.