The New York Knicks will have to give up their second pick in 2025. The background is the commitment of Jalen Brunson. According to the NBA, the Knicks contacted the former Dallas Mavericks guard before he started free agency.
The NBA said in a statement, “This decision was made following an investigation that revealed the Knicks entered into negotiations with Jalen Brunson prior to free agency.” According to the league, the Knicks cooperated during the investigation.
Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million deal with the Knicks last summer. The decision came as no surprise given that Brunson’s father had become a new assistant coach under Tom Thibodeau a few weeks prior, and Knicks president Leon Rose represented both Rick and Jalen Brunson prior to his stint in New York. Leon Rose’s son Sam is now the point guard’s new advisor.
The Dallas Mavericks, on the other hand, couldn’t keep Brunson starting and didn’t get a chance in the summer. Brunson eventually canceled a fight with the Texans and rejoined the Knucks just hours after free agency began. The builder has had a good season there so far and is averaging 20.8 points and 6.2 assists.
Most recently, the Knicks have won eight straight games and are fifth in the Eastern Conference with an 18-13 record. At the same time, the Knicks can get over the loss of the pick. Through various trades, the Knicks hold eleven first-round picks and nine other second-round picks over the next seven years.
