The Knicks accused the NBA of retaliatory “harassment” amid rumors of a league investigation into Rick Brunson's promotion to lead assistant.
“Mr. Brunson replaces Johnny Bryant and receives the same annual salary as Mr. Bryant,” MSG Sports said in a statement. “It's offensive when someone argues that Rick doesn't deserve a promotion. Rick has done a great job and will continue to do so. We believe this is further harassment of the Knicks.”
Brunson was promoted this season after his son Jalen signed a contract extension, but the point guard is being celebrated as team-friendly as he could have made more if he waited until free agency.
Hence the idea that Rick got a raise to make up for the money Jalen left on the table. Such operations constitute cap evasion.
Still, as MSG said in a statement, Rick has served as an assistant with five different NBA teams over the years. He wasn't chosen as a top assistant out of obscurity. He also served as a lower-level assistant with the Knicks the past two seasons.
Bryant served as the Knicks' associate head coach for four seasons before taking the same position with the Cavaliers last offseason.
As previously reported, the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver are at odds with Knicks owner James Dolan over multiple issues.
Most notably, Mr. Dolan disagreed with revenue sharing and the NBA's new media rights deal, prompting the billionaire to write in a memo to other owners: We are well on our way to becoming a one-size-fits-all, personality-free organization. Remember, we did this on the backs of owners like Jerry Buss. ”
A separate NBA investigation into Jalen Brunson's free agent contract found the Knicks guilty of tampering and forced them to give up a first-round pick.
