Jalen Brunson and Luka Doncic may be superstars on opposite coasts in 2026, but there was a time where the All-Star pair were lighting up the same court in Dallas and whenever they get a chance to meet again, they pick up right where they left off. 

Brunson and Doncic were both drafted in 2018, with Doncic going in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks before being traded on draft day to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Trae Young, while Brunson was Dallas' second round pick.

They debuted in the same season, and for four seasons the Mavericks had a stellar back court, though while Doncic got off to a meteoric start as the Rookie of the Year, Brunson took a few more seasons to become fully realized. 

The pair were parted ahead of the 2022-23 season when Brunson joined the New York Knicks on a four-year, $104 million deal, and just a few seasons after that Doncic joined the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis in a now-famous trade. 

The former draft buddies now lead two of the most-storied franchises in the NBA and have nine All-Star appearances between them and while neither has won a MVP or championship yet, both regularly find themselves in contention.

They were reunited once again on Sunday in a game that the Lakers took over the Knicks 110-97. Doncic led the game with 30 points while Brunson had a quieter 12 performance and after the game Doncic said he would probably grab dinner with his old teammate, and bragging rights weren't out of the question.

Doncic also took the opportunity to laud Brunson and everything that he's accomplished in his own career.

"That's my guy man. We came into the league together. All the respect, all the love in the world for him, we have a great relationship," Doncic said (via Spectrum SportsNet). 

Looking back, it's stunning to see what the Mavericks had on their roster at one point. Brunson and Doncic are two of the best guards and most famous players in the NBA. The faces of franchises on opposite ends of the country and beloved by the two largest cities in the nation. 

The fact that Dallas had both of them at one point is a credit to their ability to draft and trade, something that's reflected again in addition of Cooper Flagg to the Dallas roster, and while they were both young players not yet at the peaks of their abilities, the Mavericks were sitting on back court gold. 

That may be in the past for the Mavericks, Brunson and Doncic, but at least for the two teammates, they relish every chance they get to see each other again.