The NBA has launched an investigation into the New York Knicks. It is to be checked whether tampering violations occurred when Jalen Brunson was signed in the free agency. The Knicks face a penalty.
First reported Chris Haynes (Yahoo Sports) that the league had launched the long-awaited investigation, shortly afterwards several US media outlets confirmed the report.
The NBA wants to find out if there was any contact between the Knicks and Brunson before free agency officially started. The teams are not actually allowed to start talks with free agents until July 30 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time, but the days before it had leaked out that the point guard would probably leave the Dallas Mavericks for New York.
Within the Mavs organization, it has apparently been assumed “for weeks” that Brunson will join the Knicks, among other things The Athletic reported. The 25-year-old ended up signing with the Big Apple for four years and $104 million.
Brunson has several ties to the Knicks, including his father, Rick, who recently became part of Tom Thibodeau’s coaching staff. Rick was also the first client of Leon Rose, a former player agent and now the Knicks team president. Jalen Brunson also used Rose’s services in the meantime.
If the NBA finds a violation of the anti-tampering rules, the Knicks face the loss of a draft pick or a fine, for example. In recent years, the Bulls, Heat and Bucks have each lost a second-round pick due to tampering violations.
Now, in addition to the Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers are also threatened with a penalty. The league has loud ESPN An investigation was also ordered in Philly over the deals for James Harden, Daniel House and PJ Tucker.
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