The signing of Jalen Brunson had Knicks fans excited for the new starting point guard, but it could come at a cost beyond the contract.
Chris Haynes of YahooSports has reported that the NBA will open up an investigation on the Knicks for potential tampering. The belief is that the Knicks had contacted Brunson before the official start of the free agency period.
Brunson, who signed a four-year $104 million deal, was linked to the Knicks even before the playoffs had ended. Brunson had a breakout year, averaging a career-high 16.3 points and 4.8 assists on 50.2 percent shooting from the field. Brunson also averaged 21.6 points in the 18 playoff games he appeared in for Dallas.
Tim MacMahon had reported it was “widely anticipated” that the Knicks would offer Brunson a $100 million contract on June 28, two days before the NBA free agency had opened up.
The Knicks hired Jalen’s father, Rick Brunson, as an assistant coach under Tom Thibodeau’s staff this coming season. The League is also looking into the Sixers’ signing of P.J. Tucker and the re-signing of James Harden after he took a pay cut to remain with the team.
