NBA has been ‘poking around’ on Knicks’ promotion of assistant coach Rick Brunson

The NBA has been poking around on the Knicks’ promotion of assistant coach Rick Brunson, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

Stefan Bondy of the NY Post notes that the league is investigating the move “as a type of cap circumvention.”

Brunson has been part of Tom Thibodeau’s coaching staff since the team added his son, Jalen, in free agency during the 2022 offseason and he was promoted this year after Johnnie Bryant left the organization to take a spot as an associate head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 52-year-old had plenty of experience under his belt prior to that, as he held the position with numerous teams, including the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves during Thibodeau’s stints with both teams.

In a statement released on Monday night, MSG Sports called the investigation “offensive.”

“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.”

The NBA has already stripped the Knicks of a 2025 second-round pick after they found them guilty of tampering with Brunson during the free agency process.