The NBA has closed its inquiry into the Knicks‘ decision to promote assistant coach Rick Brunson, sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
Brunson, the father of All-NBA New York point guard Jalen Brunson, was recently promoted to a lead assistant gig under head coach Tom Thibodeau. Rick Brunson earned his new role with the Knicks during the same offseason his son inked a four-year, $157MM contract extension to stay with the team long-term.
Jalen Brunson would have been eligible for a five-year maximum contract worth an estimated $269MM had he waited to reach free agency this summer, so the belief is that the NBA was poking around to make sure there was no cap circumvention involved in Rick’s promotion and raise.
The elder Brunson, a former league journeyman guard, has been a coach since 2007 and has served on staffs in Denver, Chicago, Charlotte and Minnesota. He has been working under Thibodeau in New York since 2022, the same summer Jalen joined the team as a free agent.
There’s more out of New York:
- Knicks reserve center Jericho Sims is becoming an underappreciated defender, thanks in large part to his athletic upside and abilities as a rim protector, contends Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Sims is limiting opposing players to connecting on just 33% of their buckets within six feet of the rack, Bondy notes. By contrast, All-Star starter Karl-Anthony Towns is allowing players he’s matched up against to make 73.2% of their takes from the same area. “He’s really worked hard at it,” Thibodeau said of Sims. “Very athletic. Great feet. And making the right decision at the right time. His athleticism is through the roof. He can react very quickly. And you need that. The rim protection is huge.”
- Backup Knicks point guard Cameron Payne, a former lottery pick, is hoping to not have to head back overseas anytime soon, writes James L. Edwards of The Athletic. “The biggest experience was me getting waived and going overseas,” Payne said. “I was just like, ‘I will not ever go back overseas.’ I credit the little things like getting on the floor, the things people don’t do. I take that to the game every night. I don’t want to go back overseas. That’s my identity. I’m going to play my heart out and do whatever I have to do to help the team win.” Payne played for Chinese club Shanxi Loongs in 2019, but ultimately returned stateside to play in the G League. He reasserted himself as an NBA player during a productive stint with the Suns that began in 2020 and has been a journeyman backup ever since. Payne’s solid ball control and efficient three-point shooting have made him a staple in Thibodeau’s rotation.
- Elsewhere in the same Edwards article, rookie Knicks guard Tyler Kolek discussed what it was like to prepare for the draft over the summer. “In the summertime, what I’m working on is whatever I think I need to get better at,” Kolek said. “I feel like every summer I’ve improved, going back to college and even high school. Even during this year, I’m still learning. I’m just trying to gain the trust of my teammates and trust of my coaches and pull as much as I can from.” The 6’1″ guard was selected with the No. 34 pick out of Marquette by the Trail Blazers, who traded his draft rights to the Knicks. Kolek has played sparingly this season, averaging 3.1 points per game on .417/.429/1.000 shooting splits in 14 outings.
- Knicks reserve big man Precious Achiuwa, who has missed the entire season so far with a left hamstring strain, has seen his injury status upgraded to questionable for this time this year for Thursday’s game vs. Charlotte, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Twitter). Achiuwa re-signed a one-year, $6MM with the Knicks this offseason.
Rick was on Thibs staff before they brought in his son. His promotion is based on his performance, not based on his son being the star. There’s no rule against sons playing for their fathers as far as I know, especially if the coach isn’t also the GM. He’s in no position to make hiring decisions. I’m sure Austin Rivers played for Doc at one point.
I was disappointed in the Payne signing, but he’s been decent on the Knicks. I wanted Tyus Jones more, but he was too expensive, and I also wanted Burks back. I’m glad the Knicks have Payne. Hopefully Shamet comes back in the Spring.
@mlbnyyfan: Would much rather have Payne than Burks. Both are chuckers, but Payne can actually pass. And Burks was very streaky. When he was off, he was really off.
Chuckers ????
Both are have 10yrs in .
Payne is a career .373% 3pt shooter
Burke is a career .384% 3pt shooter
You still haven’t learned lol.
.011 is your argument?
Yeah after all, Steve Kerr is allowed to coach his son, Brandin Podziemski.
To be fair I think they hired him because they thought Jalen would enjoy playing with his Dad. However the important part for why this is nothing is because he is a good coach with ample experience. Using that to attract a player is smart because Rick is competent. Plus as was reported his salary is in line with industry standards.
It’s good the league checks into this stuff and it’s also good to see them come to reasonable conclusions. I’m sure if he was being paid way more than anyone else in a similar position this would have blown up.
His son also took a 100 million dollar pay cut.
I would trade Podziemski for Cam Payne so fast your head would spin
“By contract, All-Star starter Karl-Anthony Towns is allowing players he’s matched up against to make 73.2% of their takes from the same area.”
That’s a strange contractual obligation! You’re gonna pay me how much and all I need to do is allow 73.2% on field goals against?
Clearly meant to say “in contrast”, but I enjoyed the typo.
Hah, fixed, thanks.
Everything has to be about a Warriors issue on every single thread. Thanks Babey J
The Brunson “probe” (if it was that) never made sense, as league leaked it anyway. There was no path to a salary cap violation here (at least not in a league where the teams give player contracts to brother’s and son’s of stars, that, unlike the contract given to the elder Brunson, could never have been justified on the merits) and the league has no right to investigate on any other basis.
Silver is a clown, but he doesn’t do anything without a reason. So, at some point, it will surface. He’s acknowledged that he’s unhappy with Dolan’s vote on his TV deals, the NYK going to court on the TOR thing, and the structure of the KAT trade. Nothing he could do about those, so maybe this is his way of expressing his displeasure.
I think this is more about Dolan and Knicks opposition to NBA Rulers.
Towns has gotten better. That number is from before their run they are on. Plus it’s not all him. Thibs offense helps create this.
Sims has done a decent job on D. I just like to see the team reward him some on offense. Too many times I see him roll and doesn’t get the ball. He’ll also be down low in position. And they don’t even look at him. His team has to look for him more. We’re talking layups and dunks.
The big key here is Precious. When he’s back. He helps KAT and team D. Also he makes us deeper. Be nice to have him back. So it’s good news he could play soon. NYK
There are stars who have taken less money. To help the team and other players get paid. Mahomes has done it. Brady before him. And MJ did it for yrs for Bulls. Paying a coach is nobody’s business but the owner of team. It’s his Money. This intrusion on Knicks cap. Is just harassment. Dolan is at odds with NBA. Nothing but a wising contest. NBA has bigger things to worry about.