The Knicks are reportedly bringing in a longtime Tom Thibodeau assistant to once again join the head coach’s staff.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, New York is finalizing a contract with Rick Brunson to become an assistant coach, marking the third different team he will serve as an assistant under Thibodeau. He was on Thibodeau’s staff with the Bulls and Timberwolves. As a player, he played for eight different teams from 1997 to 2006, including the Knicks for three seasons, appearing in 69 games off the bench.
Brunson, a client of Knicks president Leon Rose when he was an agent at CAA, replaces Kenny Payne after he was hired as the head coach at Louisville.
The addition may also be notable to Knicks fans as Brunson is the father of Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, long considered a potential target for New York, a team that badly needs a quality point guard. But Dallas ownership has made it clear that the plan is to re-sign Brunson, though Knicks brass were in attendance for Mavericks playoff games.
Per Begley, the hiring is expected to be finalized “in the coming days.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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