The NBA is investigating whether or not the Knicks made contact with former Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson before free agency began.
The Knicks agreed to a four-year deal worth $104 million with Brunson, the standout Mavericks point guard who averaged 16 points, five assists and four rebounds alongside Luka Doncic last season, in the hours after free agency kicked off on June 30. But there were breadcrumbs suggesting the Knicks were preparing to make such a move long in advance of the deal being announced: They feverishly created cap space for a max contract offer by trading Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel. They also hired Jalen’s father, Rick Brunson, as an assistant coach on June 2.
Knicks GM Leon Rose also represented the younger Brunson as his agent before assuming the front office role in New York. Reports leaked months in advance of free agency suggesting the Knicks were all-in on Brunson. Despite his success with the Mavericks, Brunson never gave Dallas a formal meeting when free agency began. He quickly agreed to a deal with the Knicks.
