Before Mikal Bridges, Knicks Figured Out How To ‘Tamper’ With Adam Silver’s Rules During Jalen Brunson’s Signing

The New York Knicks have scored a new player for their roster this off-season and fans could not be more excited. In a recent trade, the Brooklyn Nets begrudgingly let go of their star forward, Mikal Bridges, for a lucrative trade offer. In an unexpected reunion, Bridges joined his former Villanova Wildcats teammates, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo in New York. This move has raised eyebrows and led to accusations of tampering against the Knicks.

Considering the old friendships in the picture, many quickly accused the Knicks of tampering. On the ‘No Dunks’ podcast, analysts J.E. Skeets and Trey Kirby discussed the Knick’s strategy. Kirby said, “The Knicks are the only organization in the entire NBA that has figured out how to tamper. They used Rick Brunson to get his son, Jalen Brunson, then they used Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart to get Mikal Bridges. All just by pure good vibes, by liking each other, by talking to each other saying, ‘Hey, you would love it over here.’ It’s all legal.”

But is there any weight to these accusations? The New York Knicks hired Jalen’s father, Rick Brunson, former NBA star and now-coach, as an assistant coach on June 2, 2022. On July 12, 2022, a little more than a month later, Jalen Brunson agreed to a $104 million, four-year contract with the Knicks. The tampering accusations were quick to fly and the league stripped the Knicks of their second-round pick in ’25 after a five-month investigation.

The Nets were not interested in giving Bridges up but the trade was too tempting to pass up. Four unprotected first-round picks (2025, ’27, ’29, and ’31), a protected first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks in ’25, an unprotected Knicks pick swap in ’28, and a Nets second-round pick in ’25 is what it took the Knicks to acquire Bridges. This series of strategic moves has brought the Knicks under scrutiny, but it also highlights their aggressive and successful trading tactics.

Brunson, Hart, DiVincenzo, and Bridges all share a deep history. Bridges was a key player on the Wildcat’s 2015-16 national title-winning team, alongside the three others. And now that they are reunited, the players cannot contain their excitement.

Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart & Donte DiVincenzo celebrate reunion

Despite all the negative accusations and rumors, the Knicks are wasting no time celebrating. Brunson and Bridges jumped onto social media to react to the news. Brunson tweeted a simple, “Omg” in response but his excitement is more than obvious. Hart, on the other hand, was way too excited.

Hart was on cloud nine and his series of tweets made it obvious. He reposted the news of the trade and quoted, “YO WE F**KING LIT.”  Followed by another tweet that said, “YOOOOO  @mikal_bridges FINALLY HIT MY LINE!!!!!” And the cherry on top was a screenshot that the player shared of his video call with Brunson, Bridges, and DiVincenzo. The news of the reunion had all four players thrilled.

Tampering or not, this group of four could not care less. To others though, it seems the Knicks have found a way around Adam Silver’s rules. The chemistry of the former Wilcats’ remains to be seen but one thing is certain, the Knicks’ front office seems to have found a unique formula.

But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe.