Knicks slam NBA probe linking Rick Brunson’s promotion to Jalen’s team-friendly deal: ‘Harassment’

The Knicks accused the NBA of retaliatory “harassment” amid the league’s rumored investigation into Rick Brunson’s promotion to lead assistant.

“Brunson took Johnnie Bryant’s place and assumed the same salary as Bryant,” MSG Sports said in a statement. “It’s offensive that anyone would claim Rick didn’t deserve the promotion, Rick has done a tremendous job and will continue to do so. We see this as more harassment of the Knicks due to our opposition to certain NBA matters.”

Brunson was promoted this season after his son, Jalen, signed a contract extension that’s been celebrated as team friendly because the point guard could’ve earned much more by waiting until free agency.

Hence the idea that Rick got a pay raise to help make up for whatever money Jalen left on the table. Such a maneuver would be cap circumvention.

Still, as MSG noted in its statement, Rick has been an assistant for many years on five different NBA teams. It’s not like he was plucked out of obscurity to become the top assistant. He was also a lower-level Knicks assistant the previous two seasons.

Bryant was the Knicks associate head coach for four seasons before taking the same position on the Cavaliers last offseason.