Knicks lose 2025 draft pick

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks will lose a draft pick for getting started too soon with their Jalen Brunson pursuit.

The NBA penalized the Knicks a second-round selection in the 2025 draft on Wednesday after finding that the Knicks began free-agency discussions involving Brunson before the date when they were allowed.

Brunson was the Knicks’ big acquisition in the summer and the point guard has been terrific, leading them to an eight-game winning streak that is the longest current one in the league.

They were the favorites to land the New Jersey native all along if he decided to leave the Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks had hired his father, Rick, as an assistant coach under Tom Thibodeau. Rick Brunson had played for the Knicks and his agent was Leon Rose, who is now the Knicks president.

Yet the NBA found after an investigation that the Knicks went even further to increase their advantage by taking part in discussions involving Jalen Brunson before free agency opened on June 30. The league said the Knicks cooperated with the investigation.

Brunson is averaging 20.8 points and 6.2 assists.

BRIEFLY

MAVS: Dallas coach Jason Kidd was fined $25,000 for coming onto the court to confront a referee and directing inappropriate language toward him during a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA announced Wednesday.

HAWKS: Atlanta president Travis Schlenk is stepping down and moving into an advisory position, the team said Wednesday, while general manager Landry Fields will assume control of daily operations.

— Associated Press

-64?The Detroit Pistons’ perimeter defense has struggled in the last three games, being outscored 171-107 (minus-64) on shots outside of the paint. That included a 66-37 deficit against the Utah Jazz Tuesday night.

— Associated Press