The Knicks accused the NBA of retaliatory “harassment” amid the league’s rumored investigation into Rick Brunson’s promotion to steer assistant.
“Brunson took Johnnie Bryant’s place and assumed the identical wage as Bryant,” MSG Sports activities stated in a press release. “It’s offensive that anybody would declare Rick didn’t deserve the promotion, Rick has completed an amazing job and can proceed to take action. We see this as extra harassment of the Knicks as a result of our opposition to sure NBA issues.”
Brunson was promoted this season after his son, Jalen, signed a contract extension that’s been celebrated as crew pleasant as a result of the purpose guard might’ve earned way more by ready till free company.
Therefore the concept that Rick received a pay elevate to assist make up for no matter cash Jalen left on the desk. Such a maneuver can be cap circumvention.
Nonetheless, as MSG famous in its assertion, Rick has been an assistant for a few years on 5 totally different NBA groups. It’s not like he was plucked out of obscurity to change into the highest assistant. He was additionally a lower-level Knicks assistant the earlier two seasons.
Bryant was the Knicks affiliate head coach for 4 seasons earlier than taking the identical place on the Cavaliers final offseason.
The NBA didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. SNY first reported Monday evening the league was “poking round” on potential infractions involving Brunson’s promotion, prompting the assertion from MSG Sports activities.
As beforehand reported, the NBA and its commissioner, Adam Silver, have been butting heads with Knicks proprietor James Dolan over a number of points.
Probably the most distinguished are Dolan’s disapproval of income sharing and the brand new NBA media rights deal, prompting the billionaire to jot down in a memo to the opposite house owners, “Satisfaction of possession is what’s sacrificed. We’re effectively on our strategy to turning into a one measurement matches all, characterless group. Simply keep in mind we did this on the backs of homeowners like Jerry Buss.”
In a separate NBA investigation regarding Jalen Brunson’s free company signing, the Knicks have been discovered responsible of tampering and compelled to surrender a second-round decide.
