Knicks blast NBA probe on assistant coach, former NJ high school coach as ‘offensive…harassment’

The Knicks blasted the NBA’s investigation into the promotion of assistant coach Rick Brunson as “offensive…harassment.”
Brunson, the former Camden High School coach and father of point guard Jalen Brunson, was given a raise after his son took a team-friendly deal in July that left $113 million on the table in order to give the franchise flexibility to make trades and free agent signings. The NBA is reportedly investigating whether the Knicks circumvented that move by giving Rick Brunson, 52, more money.
“Brunson took Johnnie Bryant’s place and assumed the same salary as Bryant,” MSG Sports said in a statement first given to SNY.tv. “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.”
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Jalen Brunson agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension beginning in 2025-26, leaving $113 million on the table a year from now. Brunson, 27, can “recoup the $113 million on a four-year, $323 million maximum extension in 2028 or a new five-year, $418 million deal in 2029,” former ESPN Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported in July.
Rick Brunson’s new contract, according to SNY NBA sources, “is within industry standards for top assistant coaches.”
Prior to joining the Knicks, Brunson spent three seasons as the head coach at Camden High School, where he coached the likes of DJ Wagner, now at Arkansas, and Aaron Bradshaw, now at Ohio State.
In three seasons, Brunson compiled a 73-4 overall record. After leading the Panthers to a 31-3 record, an elusive state championship, a berth in the Tournament of Champions final and a No. 2 ranking in the final NJ.com Top 20, Brunson stepped down as head coach in June 2022.
Prior to taking over at Camden, Brunson previously served as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Bobcats. He was also an assistant at the University of Hartford. He has had multiple stints with current Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
This isn’t the first time the NBA has investigated the Knicks.
In December 2022, the NBA found that the Knicks violated tampering rules in its pursuit of then-Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson before starting free agency. The Knicks were penalized a second-round pick in the 2025 Draft as a result.
“This outcome reflected a finding, following an investigation, that the Knicks engaged in free agency discussions involving Jalen Brunson prior to the date when such discussions were permitted,” the NBA statement read in part.
Knicks owner James Dolan in September also criticized the NBA’s operating budget for this season and its lack of transparency. Dolan also took issue with the league’s revenue sharing policy, as ESPN reported.
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com.