Knicks respond to rumored NBA investigation into Jalen Brunson’s dad

Reports emerged Monday about a rumored NBA investigation into the recent promotion of Jalen Brunson’s father Rick Brunson.

Rick Brunson was promoted to the Knicks’ lead assistant role on Tom Thibodeau’s staff this season. Brunson replaced the Knicks’ former lead assistant Johnnie Bryant, who left the team in the offseason to join the Cleveland Cavaliers’ coaching staff.

Several Knicks and national reporters stated Monday that the NBA had contacted the Knicks regarding Rick Brunson’s promotion, which came during the same offseason as Jalen Brunson re-signing with the team in July.

Jalen took a huge discount to help the Knicks maintain salary cap flexibility. It’s likely that the NBA has been looking into Rick’s promotion to ensure there was no deal made under the table.

The Knicks, however, found it “offensive” that the NBA would launch an investigation into Rick Brunson’s rise in the coaching hierarchy. The statement released by MSG Sports even called it “harassment.”

“In response to the rumored NBA investigation into Rick Brunson’s promotion, Brunson took Johnnie Bryant’s place and assumed the same salary as Bryant. It’s offensive that anyone would claim Rick didn’t deserve the promotion, Rick has done a tremendous job and will continue to do so. We see this as more harassment of the Knicks due to our opposition to certain NBA matters.”

Sources: The league contacted the Knicks questioning the timing of Rick Brunson’s promotion to lead assistant. Thus, the statement. https://t.co/0Wl2FPRZJQ

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 19, 2024

Rick Brunson joined the Knicks’ coaching staff in 2022, the same year his son Jalen signed with the team in free agency.

The former NBA journeyman has a decade of coaching experience in the NBA. He got his first coaching opportunity with the Denver Nuggets back in the 2006-07 season. He later had brief coaching stints with the Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.