NBA CBA Change Could Have Stopped Knicks' Jalen Brunson Signing

The New York Knicks managed to sign Jalen Brunson last summer after using creative trade maneuvers to clear the necessary salary cap space to dole out a four-year, $104 million contract. It was made possible due to the rising star guard entering the market as an unrestricted free agent. 

Based on changes to the latest version of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Brunson would have instead been a restricted free agent last summer. The reasoning is that a second-round pick signed to a four-year deal will now enter the market as a restricted free agent instead of being unrestricted.

ESPN's Front Office Insider Bobby Marks used Brunson's departure from the Dallas Mavericks as a prime example of how the second-round signing exception will protect teams. After Brunson was drafted in 2018, the Mavs signed him to a four-year, $6.1 million contract without a final-year team option being included. Had Brunson signed a contract with a team option, he would have been a restricted free agent after his deal expired.

"For the teams using the exception, the risk of losing a second-round pick to unrestricted free agency is all but eliminated," Marks wrote. "Remember back in 2018 when the Mavericks signed Jalen Brunson to a four-year contract that did not contain a team option in Year 4? That no longer exists because every player signed to a four-year contract using the second-round exception has a team option included. This allows a player to enter restricted free agency if the team option is declined."

The Mavs did have opportunities to get a contract done with Brunson in earlier stages of his tenure with the franchise. Coming off a rough playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2021, there was plenty of time between that point and when Brunson had emerged as the full-time starter amid a breakout campaign in the 2021-22 season to get a new deal done.

Under the current rules, the Mavs would have received more protection from not getting a contract done sooner before Brunson's breakout. They would have been able to operate knowing they could match whatever offer sheet he signs as a restricted free agent, which perhaps could have deterred potential suitors.

Another angle of restricted free agency is that for a departure to transpire, there is more forced cooperation for a sign-and-trade. The Mavs would have needed to be enticed by the Knicks' potential trade return, and also be willing to part with Brunson in general for a deal to happen in that scenario. However, after averaging 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 18 playoff games during a WCF run, simply keeping the backcourt intact would have surely been a more appealing option.

The Knicks are now reaping major benefits from acquiring Brunson. He averaged 24.0 points, 6.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 68 games. He elevated his game even further in the playoffs, leading New York to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and its first playoff series victory since 2013.

Follow Grant Afseth on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Knicks? Click Here.

Follow AllKnicks.com on Twitter.

Want even more New York Knicks news? Check out the SI.com team page here.