The New York Knick signed guard Jalen Brunson in free agency, but they will still have to give up some draft compensation as a result of the deal. The NBA just announced that the Knicks will forfeit their 2025 second-round pick for violating rules in order to sign Brunson.
According to the statement issued by the league, “the Knicks engaged in free agency discussions involving Jalen Brunson prior to the date when such discussions were permitted.” Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the franchise when the free agency officially opened.
The news that the Knicks disregarded the rules doesn’t come as a big surprise, considering Brunson’s ties with the organization before he came to New York. Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father, became the Knicks’ assistant coach one month before his son signed with the franchise. Also, the current Knicks’ president Leon Rose was the former agent of Jalen Brunson, while Rose’s son Sam is his current agent.
Still, the Knicks shouldn’t be too concerned about the price they “paid” for Brunson. The 26-year-old has been playing his best basketball as a pro in New York. He is averaging 20.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in 2022-23, all career-highs.
