<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-news-jalen-brunson-clarifies-viral-cryptic-tweet');   ga('set', 'title', 'Knicks star Jalen Brunson hilariously clarifies viral cryptic tweet');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Brunson-celebrates.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Knicks star Jalen Brunson hilariously clarifies viral cryptic tweet</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-18T15:03:09-07:00">June 18th, 3:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-18T15:55:16-07:00">June 18th, 3:55pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/dallas-mavericks/nba-rumors-door-not-closed-jason-kidd-leaving-mavericks-knicks">New York Knicks are currently searching</a> for a new coach, having requested and been denied permission to interview several active head coaches around the NBA after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-news-jalen-brunson-gets-brutally-honest-on-tom-thibodeau-after-firing">firing Tom Thibodeau</a>. New York is coming off of an Eastern Conference Finals exit to the Indiana Pacers, who are currently in a tightly contested NBA Finals series with the Oklahoma City Thunder.</p><p>Recently, Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson stirred up some drama with a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “I am genuinely confused.”</p><p>A few minutes later, after seeing that fans in the comments were confused about what he meant with the cryptic post, Brunson quickly <a href="https://x.com/jalenbrunson1/status/1935165188568678569" rel="noopener">clarified his tweet.</a></p><p>“Damn my bad yall, I was talking about love island,” wrote Brunson.</p><p>The fact that Brunson was talking about the hit reality show and not anything pertaining to the Knicks was certainly cause for a sigh of relief from fans who are still wondering who the franchise’s next head coach will be and whether or not the team will make any significant roster changes this offseason.</p><h2><b>A huge summer for the Knicks</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Karl-Anthony-Towns.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>It remains to be seen what the Knicks’ strategy from a roster perspective will be this summer.</p><p>While the team made its deepest playoff run in a quarter century this year, the Indiana Pacers exposed the fact that it’s extremely difficult to win when your two best players– in this case Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns–are both negatives on the defensive end of the floor.</p><p>Some have proposed that the Knicks throw their hat into the Kevin Durant sweepstakes in hopes of getting more reliable perimeter scoring options, while others believe the team should make some tweaks along the margins in order to better position themselves as championship contenders.</p><p>Whatever they end up doing, the Knicks will have a new head coach patrolling the Madison Square Garden sidelines beginning next season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Knicks star Jalen Brunson hilariously clarifies viral cryptic tweet

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-news-jalen-brunson-gets-brutally-honest-on-tom-thibodeau-after-firing');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jalen Brunson gets brutally honest on Tom Thibodeau after Knicks firing');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Knicks-head-coach-Tom-Thibodeau-with-guard-Jalen-Brunson-11.jpg"><figcaption>© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Jalen Brunson gets brutally honest on Tom Thibodeau after Knicks firing</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-13T10:19:01-07:00">June 13th, 10:19am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-13T10:19:01-07:00">June 13th, 10:19am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson offered a <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1933555002661831002" rel="noopener">heartfelt reflection</a> on the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-news-josh-hart-blasts-critics-talking-trash-tom-thibodeau">team’s decision to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau</a>, praising the veteran coach’s impact on his personal and professional development. Brunson shared his thoughts on the latest episode of The Roommates Show alongside teammate Josh Hart and co-host Matt Hillman.</p><p>“This is my first firing,” Brunson said. “Obviously, I’ve known him my entire life, but I remember like having conversations and moments with him when I was in the eighth grade when he was in Chicago. Just to see where we are now – helped me become a two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA. The things he’s done for me that obviously, individually that I’m so grateful for just because he had the confidence in me that I knew I had, but it’s great to see someone push it, pushing me to be better.”</p><h2><b>Jalen Brunson credits Tom Thibodeau for career growth after firing </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Knicks-Jalen-Brunson-Tom-Thibodeau.jpg"><figcaption>Geoff Burke-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Brunson emphasized his appreciation for Thibodeau’s belief in him throughout their time together.</p><p>“Obviously, I have my dad and he believes in me more than anyone, and my mom believes me more than anyone, but to have like Thibs do what he did for my career, I’m just so thankful and grateful for,” he added. “Not enough things to be said about what he’s meant to myself, my career.”</p><p>Thibodeau was dismissed last Tuesday following the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-news-josh-hart-new-york-pacers">Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers in six games</a>. His five-year tenure included a 226–174 regular-season record and four playoff appearances, culminating in the franchise’s deepest postseason run since 2000.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Helped me become a 2-time All Star, 2-time All NBA. The things he’s done for me… I’m so grateful for it.”</p><p>Jalen Brunson with nothing but love for former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau 🫶</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/Roommates__Show?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Roommates__Show</a>)<a href="https://t.co/dsVSpZdCne">pic.twitter.com/dsVSpZdCne</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1933555002661831002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>Brunson, 28, signed with New York in 2022 after a breakout playoff performance with the Dallas Mavericks, who drafted him 33rd overall in 2018. Since joining the Knicks, he has developed into one of the league’s premier guards. This past season, Brunson averaged 26.0 points, 7.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 48.8% from the field and 38.3% from three. He earned his second consecutive All-Star and All-NBA selections and was named the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year.</p><h2><b>Josh Hart praises Thibodeau’s impact, notes uncertainty as Knicks begin coaching search</b></h2><p>Josh Hart, who has played under several head coaches in his career, also weighed in on Thibodeau’s departure.</p><p>“Thibs was my sixth coach in eight years,” Hart said. “The NBA coaching profession… it’s tough. Whenever you don’t finish how you wanted or expected, like I said there’s always going to be changes. That was a tough one. I just think there should be nothing but praise for him and his time in New York.”</p><p>Hart, 30, joined the Knicks during the 2022–23 season and enjoyed a career year in his second full season with the team. He averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game across 77 appearances, playing a career-high 37.6 minutes per night.</p><p>Looking ahead, Hart acknowledged the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/sources-knicks-interest-john-calipari-theres-catch">uncertainty surrounding the team’s next hire</a>.</p><p>“Now there’s a coaching search and everyone on Twitter has their own opinions on who should be hired, who shouldn’t be hired, who wants to be hired,” he said.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-news-new-yorks-failed-coaching-pursuits-honest-rick-carlisle-response">Knicks have yet to announce a successor to Thibodeau</a> as the front office evaluates options for the 2025–26 season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jalen Brunson gets brutally honest on Tom Thibodeau after Knicks firing

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-news-jalen-brunson-admission-speculation-ny-rift');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jalen Brunson’s admission amid speculation of Knicks rift');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Karl-Anthony-Towns.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Jalen Brunson’s admission amid speculation of Knicks rift</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-12T19:03:21-07:00">June 12th, 7:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-12T19:03:21-07:00">June 12th, 7:03pm</time><address><a>David Yapkowitz</a>David Yapkowitz is an NBA Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a credentialed reporter based in Los Angeles who covers the NBA/WNBA, NCAA/NCAAW and boys/girls high school basketball.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Following the New York Knicks’ elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Indiana Pacers, the organization made the shocking move to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau. In the days after Thibodeau’s firing, speculation swirled about a possible rift in the Knicks’ locker room <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-rumors-player-input-factored-decision-fire-tom-thibodeau">regarding player opinions on Thibodeau</a>. But during a recent episode of ‘The Roommates Show,’ Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson appeared to <a href="https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1933325966157189163" rel="noopener">shoot down any concerns</a> regarding a fractured locker room.</p><p>“I think we have a good enough group to where we all keep in touch anyway. Our group chat, we still talk in it. Despite what people say, we all genuinely like each other. Sometimes when you’re going through it, sometimes you have arguments and disagreements,” Brunson said. “I actually enjoy my teammates regardless of what people say or think.”</p><p>Just this week, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/knicks-news-josh-hart-blasts-critics-talking-trash-tom-thibodeau">Josh Hart was the latest Knicks player to praise Thibodeau</a> amid the franchise’s decision to go in a different direction. After the Knicks’ Game 6 loss in the ECF to the Pacers, Jalen Brunson offered immediate support for Thibodeau by quickly shooting down a reporter’s question asking him if he felt Thibodeau was the right coach for the team.</p><p>In any case, the Knicks’ coaching search is off to a slow start. The organization reached out to Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls for permission to speak with their respective head coaches about the Knicks’ job. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/bulls-reject-knicks-billy-donovan-interview-request">They were rejected by all five teams</a>. Scouring the college ranks doesn’t appear to be going anywhere as Jay Wright and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/sources-knicks-interest-john-calipari-theres-catch">John Calipari have been ruled out</a> as potential candidates.</p><p>But whenever the Knicks do land on a new head coach, they will inherit a fairly good roster with stars Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns at the helm. Sure there are some tweaks that could be made, especially with the bench, but overall the current roster is not a bad starting place for an incoming coach.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jalen Brunson’s admission amid speculation of Knicks rift

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-rumors-how-rick-carlisles-mavericks-tried-trade-jalen-brunson-tyrese-haliburton');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: How Rick Carlisle’s Mavericks tried to trade Jalen Brunson for Tyrese Haliburton');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Indiana-Pacers-point-guard-Tyrese-Haliburton-and-New-York-Knicks-point-guard-Jalen-Brunson.jpg"><figcaption>Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: How Rick Carlisle’s Mavericks tried to trade Jalen Brunson for Tyrese Haliburton</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-12T14:03:50-07:00">June 12th, 2:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-12T15:34:28-07:00">June 12th, 3:34pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Indiana Pacers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is in a familiar spot in this year’s NBA Finals. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-news-rick-carlisle-message-statement-game-3-win">Carlisle leads another underdog team led by an underrated star</a>, even though Tyrese Haliburton and Dirk Nowitzki were much different leaders that guided their team to the Finals for the first time.</p><p>He reflected on the path that has led him to the Finals, including a trade that almost happened when he was with the Dallas Mavericks involving Haliburton and Jalen Brunson.</p><p>Haliburton was an intriguing prospect during the 2020 draft. The Iowa State point guard was not as popular as top prospects like Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball. However, his skillset was highly valued by teams across the league. According to Carlisle, the Mavericks <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45493117/how-rick-carlisle-impacts-tyrese-haliburton-indiana-pacers" rel="noopener">attempted to build a trade package</a> featuring Brunson and their draft picks to move up.</p><p>According to ESPN’s Jamal Collier and Tim McMahon, Dallas tried to trade with every team for a shot at Haliburton before the Sacramento Kings selected him at No. 12.</p><p>“We tried like hell to get him and move up; we just couldn’t do it,” Carlisle said before the start of the Finals. “When I tell you that Mark Cuban tried everything. When Mark puts his mind to something, he can usually figure something out.”</p><p>Despite Cuban’s best efforts, the Mavericks were unable to get a deal done. It may have been for the best, though. Brunson developed into a capable backcourt player alongside Luka Doncic. However, Dallas did not want to give him the extension he asked for, and the young guard signed with the New York Knicks.</p><p>Carlisle stayed with the Mavericks for one more season before heading back to the Pacers in 2021. After being so high on Haliburton, he got the chance to coach the young star when Indiana traded for him. Three years later, Carlisle and Haliburton have the Pacers two wins away from the team’s first championship in franchise history.</p><p>Carlisle has developed many point guards throughout his career, but Brunson and Haliburton might be his two biggest triumphs. Both guards made All-NBA teams this season, leading their teams deep into the postseason.</p><p>After Jayson Tatum’s injury, the Eastern Conference is as wide open as it has ever been. However, the Pacers and Knicks have a chance to dominate for years to come.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-news-rick-carlisle-haliburton-game-winner-plan">Carlisle has been a big supporter of Haliburton’s game</a>, and heaped praise on the Pacers’ leader throughout the postseason. He even compared his young star to Jason Kidd. The Hall of Fame guard helped him grow into the coach that he is now.</p><p>“What I learned my first year in Dallas was to give J-Kidd the ball and get out of the way, let him run the show, let him run the team,” Carlisle said before the start of the NBA Finals. “Tyrese, very similar situation, but didn’t take half a season to figure it out.</p><p>“The situation in Dallas with Luka was the same. It’s pretty clear, when you have a player of that kind of magnitude, that kind of presence, that kind of knowledge, vision and depth, you got to let them do what they do.”</p><p>Carlisle’s strategy has worked, and he is close to his second championship. If he can seal the deal, he will go down as one of the most underrated coaches in league history.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: How Rick Carlisle’s Mavericks tried to trade Jalen Brunson for Tyrese Haliburton

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-news-bill-simmons-questions-rick-brunson-role-in-next-knicks-coaching-staff');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bill Simmons questions the role Jalen Brunson’s dad will play in Knicks’ HC search');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Jalen-Brunson-11-talks-with-Assistant-Coach-Rick-Brunson-in-the-third-quarter-against-the-New-Orleans-Pelicans.jpg"><figcaption>© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Bill Simmons questions the role Jalen Brunson’s dad will play in Knicks’ HC search</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-06T10:12:01-07:00">June 6th, 10:12am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-06T10:12:01-07:00">June 6th, 10:12am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Following the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/knicks-rumors-dan-patrick-drops-30-million-tom-thibodeau-leon-rose-conspiracy-theory">New York Knicks’ surprising decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau</a> earlier this week, questions have emerged about the influence of Jalen Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, in the team’s search for a new leader on the sidelines. On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Bill Simmons highlighted growing speculation around internal dynamics within the Knicks organization and how they may affect the head coaching search.</p><p>“Knicks coach drama, boy there’s been some buzzing, boy there has been some tidbits and things being talked about,” Simmons <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tssP_fIV6mI&amp;t=2588s" rel="noopener">said</a>. “Sources are saying stuff. It just seems that Knicks team was a lot more dysfunctional than I think. I heard hints, I heard rumors, but man a little Game Of Thrones over there.”</p><p>Simmons pointed to an incident earlier in the season when <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-julius-randle-defends-donte-divincenzo-knicks-altercation">Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was seen shouting toward the Knicks bench</a> during a game against the Timberwolves. According to Simmons, the confrontation appeared to be directed at Rick Brunson, raising questions about his role and authority on the coaching staff.</p><p>“So Jalen Brunson’s dad is one of the coaches of the team and worked with Thibs for a long time and Donte DiVincenzo was yelling at him for some reason and seemed like he had felt betrayed by him,” Simmons continued. “And there’s always rumors that he had an outsized voice with Leon and those dudes. If you’re the next coach, do you want your own staff or do you want to inherit this staff that felt like it got a little Game Of Thrones down the stretch there?”</p><h2><b>Rick Brunson’s role adds complexity to Knicks’ coaching search after Tom Thibodeau’s firing</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Jalen-Brunson-11-warms-up-with-assistant-coach-Rick-Brunson-right-before-a-game-against-the-Golden-State-Warriors.jpg"><figcaption>© Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>ESPN’s Zach Lowe also addressed the situation on the podcast, noting the general surprise across the league regarding Thibodeau’s dismissal.</p><p>“When you talk to people around the league, there’s a lot of skepticism that there would be a change made because he is Jalen Brunson’s father,” Lowe said.</p><p>Simmons added, “I think skepticism is underrating it. I think people think he will be on the bench.”</p><p>Rick Brunson’s presence within the Knicks’ coaching staff and his long-standing connection to Thibodeau made the firing even more unexpected. The two coaches shared a relationship that dated back decades, making it seem likely that their partnership would continue, especially after a successful season that ended with the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/nba-news-jeff-teague-claims-tom-thibodeau-doesnt-really-coach-you">Knicks reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000</a>.</p><p>Complicating matters further is Leon Rose’s connection to the Brunson family. Rose, the team’s president, previously served as Rick Brunson’s agent during his playing days and is also Jalen Brunson’s godfather. The overlapping relationships contributed to the assumption that Thibodeau’s job was safe following the Knicks’ deep postseason run.</p><p>Having a player’s parent on the coaching staff is a rarity at the NBA level, more often associated with college or high school programs. As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/nba-rumors-knicks-jason-kidd-request-tom-thibodeau-firing">Knicks begin their search for a new head coach</a>, the extent of Rick Brunson’s influence — both in the front office and potentially over the incoming staff — remains a central storyline.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bill Simmons questions the role Jalen Brunson’s dad will play in Knicks’ HC search

Spencer Dinwiddie

Theo Pinson

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Rodney Hood

Jalen Brunson

Dante Exum

Caris LeVert

Nassir Little

Aron Baynes

Steven Adams

1x All Star

2023-24 All-NBA

2x All Star

Dallas Mavericks

New York Knicks

3 seasons

Career

2 seasons

https://twitter.com/jalenbrunson1/status/1651420122601357314/

https://twitter.com/jalenbrunson1/status/1644033146743078912/

Yo my bad for the delay but here you go:

HIMME THE LIGHT by Sean Paul @IQ_GodSon 

HIMME MORE by Britney Spears @obitoppin1 

HIMMY COOKS by Drake & 21 @qdotgrimes

https://twitter.com/jalenbrunson1/status/1641510739088138242/

https://twitter.com/jalenbrunson1/status/1637238672381685761/

https://twitter.com/jalenbrunson1/status/1636898416973303808/

https://twitter.com/jalenbrunson1/status/1636898334961967104/

FDU coach talks faster than an auctioneer 😂

https://twitter.com/jalenbrunson1/status/1636897336688275531/

https://twitter.com/jalenbrunson1/status/1636793880518754304/

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
26.0	2.9	7.4	0.1	0.9

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
26.0	2.9	7.4	0.1	0.9

Jalen
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