The Mavericks accuse the Knicks of tampering with Jalen Brunson / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA TODAY Sports-SCANPIX Credit USA TODAY Sports-SCANPIX

Jalen Brunson's signing to theNew York Knicks, on a four-year, $104 million contract, came as no surprise. There has been talks for months of New York interest in the formerDallas Mavericksguard.

Jalen Brunson

MIN:32.51PTS:17.25 (55.61%)REB:4.03As:4.56ST:0.81BL:0.04TO:1.47GM:97ProfileNBA2021/2022

The Athletic reports today that the Texans are "pretty frustrated" with the method employed by the Knicks. Leaks of a finalized deal surfaced even before New York were officially allowed to speak with the player, who already had important connections with the franchise.

In addition to recruiting his father, Rick, as an assistant, Brunson's agent Sam Rose, is none other than the son of the president of the franchise, Leon Rose. Also, during the opening of the playoffs in mid-April, several Knicks front office members (executive VP William Wesley, special assistant to the GM Allan Houston, as well as the team's forward-center Julius Randle), had attended the opening of the series between Mavs and Jazz. The Mavs would not have appreciated this visit.

According to the facts cited by The Athletic, the Knicks are likely to be sanctioned for tampering. This type of sanction is rather rare compared to the number of transfers announced even before the start of each free agency. But if the Mavs really decide to support the case, the NBA would be obliged to react to enforce its own rules.

Brunson was one of the key figures in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The guard averaged 21.6 points with notable 41- and 31-point performances in first-round victories over theUtah Jazzwhile Doncic was sidelined by a strained calf.

During the regular season, Brunson averaged 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.

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