The Knicks accused the NBA of retaliatory “harassment” amid the league’s rumored investigation into Rick Brunson’s promotion to guide assistant.
“Brunson took Johnnie Bryant’s place and assumed the same salary as Bryant,” MSG Sports activities stated in a press release. “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.”
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 Rick received a pay increase 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 completely different NBA groups. It’s not like he was plucked out of obscurity to turn 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 around” 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 outstanding are Dolan’s disapproval of income sharing and the brand new NBA media rights deal, prompting the billionaire to put in writing in a memo to the opposite homeowners, “Pride of ownership is what is sacrificed. We are well on our way to becoming a one size fits all, characterless organization. Just remember we did this on the backs of owners 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 choose.
