New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson expressed surprise after a report detailed his father Rick Brunson’s ongoing role with the team amid the search for a new head coach. Rick, who has served as an assistant coach since 2022, was hired under former coach Tom Thibodeau, who was dismissed following the Knicks’ loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
Jalen responded on X, formerly Twitter, with disbelief to a report by Marc Stein revealing that Rick Brunson is expected to remain on the Knicks’ coaching staff under the new head coach. The Knicks have been linked to candidates such as Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, Micah Nori, James Borrego, and Dawn Staley as they seek leadership for the upcoming season.
“WHAT?!” Brunson tweeted. —Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks superstar
Jalen Brunson joined the Knicks as a free agent in 2022 after four years with the Dallas Mavericks. Quickly becoming a franchise cornerstone, he led New York to three consecutive playoff appearances, though they fell short during the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers.
There has been some criticism from fans regarding Rick Brunson’s influence within the Knicks’ coaching setup. NBA insider Sam Amico reported last month that certain players were uneasy with Rick’s level of power in the organization. Despite this, the Knicks front office is unlikely to jeopardize the relationship with Jalen, the team‘s most vital player since Carmelo Anthony. As the Eastern Conference opens up next season, the Knicks appear poised for a significant breakthrough.
Strengthening the Knicks’ Bench for Next Season
A notable issue for the Knicks during the postseason was the lack of reliable bench depth. Apart from Miles McBride, who offered solid minutes, the team struggled to find impact players coming off the bench.
In response, the Knicks moved swiftly to sign Jordan Clarkson, a former NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Clarkson was waived by the Utah Jazz but has been recognized as one of the league’s top bench scorers over the past five seasons. Although recent injuries limited his playing time, he still averaged 16.2 points per game last year.
Clarkson is expected to be the main backup to Jalen Brunson, allowing the Knicks to maintain offensive firepower when Brunson rests. His scoring ability and versatility should help the team sustain momentum, ensuring the offense does not falter when the starting guard is off the floor.