The NBA has closed its inquiry into the Knicks‘ decision to promote assistant coach Rick Brunson, sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
Brunson, the father of All-NBA New York point guard Jalen Brunson, was recent promoted to a lead assistant gig under head coach Tom Thibodeau. Rick Brunson earned his new role with the Knicks during the offseason, right around the moment his son inked what will be a four-year, $157MM contract extension to stay with the team long-term.
Jalen Brunson would have been eligible for a five-year maximum contract worth an estimated $269MM, had he waited to reach free agency this summer. The elder Brunson, a former league journeyman guard, has been a coach since 2007, and has served on staffs in Denver, Chicago, Charlotte and Minnesota. He’s been on Thibodeau’s staff since 2022, when Jalen joined the team as a free agent.
There’s more out of New York:
- Knicks reserve center Jericho Sims is becoming an under-appreciated defender, thanks in large part to his athletic upside and abilities as a rim protector, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Sims is limiting opposing players to connecting on just 33% of their buckets within six feet of the rack, per Bondy. By contract, All-Star starter Karl-Anthony Towns is allowing players he’s matched up against to connect on 73.2% of their takes from the same area. “He’s really worked hard at it,” Thibodeau said. “Very athletic. Great feet. And making the right decision at the right time. His athleticism is through the roof. He can react very quickly. And you need that. The rim protection is huge.”
- Back-up Knicks point guard Cameron Payne, a former lottery pick, is hoping to not have to head back overseas anytime soon, writes James L. Edwards of The Athletic. “The biggest experience was me getting waived and going overseas,” Payne said. “I was just like, ‘I will not ever go back overseas.’ I credit the little things like getting on the floor, the things people don’t do. I take that to the game every night. I don’t want to go back overseas. That’s my identity. I’m going to play my heart out and do whatever I have to do to help the team win.” He was played for Chinese club Shanxi Loongs in 2019, but ultimately returned to the states to play in the G League. He returned to the NBA proper thanks to a productive stint with the Suns, and has been a journeyman back-up ever since. Payne’s solid ball control and efficient three-point shooting have made him a staple in Thibodeau’s rotation.
- Elsewhere in the same Edwards article, rookie Knicks guard Tyler Kolek recently unpacked his experience preparing for the draft over the summer. “In the summertime, what I’m working on is whatever I think I need to get better at,” Kolek said. “I feel like every summer I’ve improved, going back to college and even high school. Even during this year, I’m still learning. I’m just trying to gain the trust of my teammates and trust of my coaches and pull as much as I can from.” The 6’1″ guard was selected with the No. 34 pick out of Marquette by Portland, but New York traded to acquire his draft rights. Kolek has played sparingly this season. In 14 games, he’s averaged 3.1 points on .417/.429/1.00 shooting splits.
- Knicks reserve big man Precious Achiuwa, who has missed the entire season so far with a left hamstring strain, has seen his injury status upgraded to questionable for this time this year, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Twitter). New York’s next game is slated for Thursday against Charlotte. Achiuwa re-signed a one-year, $6MM with the Knicks this offseason.