Rick Brunson: NBA Career and Post-Playing Role
Rick Brunson is a former NBA point guard who played 9 NBA seasons from 2000 to 2009. He appeared in 308 regular-season games and averaged 5.2 points and 2.9 assists per game. His career included stints with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Chicago Bulls. After retiring, he joined the NBA G League Ignite as a player development coach in 2021, working with young prospects preparing for the NBA draft Forbes.
Brunson later moved into scouting and coaching roles within NBA front offices. He served as a player development coach for the New York Knicks during the 2015-16 season and later held similar positions with other teams. His NBA playing career included a brief appearance in the 2005 NBA Finals with the Houston Rockets. His current role focuses on coaching and player development rather than active playing contracts or salary figures.
Jalen Brunson: NBA Career, Contracts, and Earnings
Jalen Brunson is an NBA point guard for the New York Knicks. He was selected 33rd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He played four seasons with the 76ers before joining the Dallas Mavericks as a restricted free agent in 2022. He signed a four-year, $104 million contract with Dallas in July 2022, with a player option for the final year ESPN.
In 2024, Brunson was traded to the New York Knicks in a package centered around Jalen Duren and a 2029 first-round pick. He signed a new four-year, $195 million supermax contract with the Knicks in July 2024, making him one of the highest-paid guards in the NBA. His 2023-24 season averages included 24.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, and he helped the Knicks reach the 2024 NBA Finals NBA.com.
Brunson Family Influence and Public Profile
Rick Brunson is the father of Jalen Brunson and a former NBA player who played college basketball at Temple University. Rick's career in the NBA and later in coaching gave Jalen early exposure to professional basketball development systems. Jalen grew up in New Jersey and attended Temple University before entering the NBA draft directly Wikipedia.
The Brunson family is known for a multi-generational basketball background. Rick's brother, Eddie Jones, is a former NBA All-Star, and Jalen's younger brother, Marcus, plays college basketball. The family's combined NBA and college basketball history has contributed to their public profile in sports media and NBA circles.