NBA strips Knicks of 2025 2nd-rounder for early discussions with Brunson

The NBA stripped the New York Knicks of their second-round draft pick in 2025 for entering into free-agency discussions with Jalen Brunson this past summer before the permitted date, the league announced Wednesday.

The league made the ruling following an investigation into the team's signing of the 26-year-old, who had become a free agent following four seasons with the Dallas Mavericks.

Brunson officially penned a four-year, $104-million contract - which includes a $24.9-million player option in 2025-26, according to Spotrac - with New York on July 12. The NBA reportedly opened a probe into the signing on Aug. 1.

It's unclear what exactly sparked the league's investigation, but several circumstances could have alerted suspicion within the head office. Brunson's father Rick Brunson was hired as an assistant on the Knicks' coaching staff just one month before his son committed to joining the team.

It was also reported that Brunson canceled previously planned meetings with the Mavericks and Miami Heat before the free-agency window opened and was set on signing in New York once permitted. His agents confirmed a verbal agreement with the Knicks on June 30, the first night of free agency.

The NBA, however, did not punish New York for any possible conversations between Brunson and his father, a source told The Athletic's Fred Katz. The league's decision reportedly only regarded the team's early contact with the guard.

The Knicks won't possess their own second-round pick until 2025 at the earliest. The Minnesota Timberwolves are slated to receive New York's second-rounder this year, while the 2024 selection is set to go to the Charlotte Hornets. The Knicks could have multiple incoming second-round picks from other teams in 2024, but the league preferred to remove one of their original selections as a punishment, a source told Katz.