'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Stephen A. Smith has questioned the New York Knicks' approach to the 2022 NBA draft. The Knicks couldn't strike a deal to land Purdue guard Jaden Ivey, which led to them clearing cap space to pursue Dallas Mavericks' free-agent guard Jalen Brunson.
They did so by trading their No. 11 pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for multiple future first-round picks and entering a three-team deal to offload Kemba Walker's contract to the Detroit Pistons. New York didn't draft any player with their lottery pick, which baffled many supporters, including Stephen A. Smith.
The ESPN analyst vented his frustration on the most recent episode of First Take, saying:
"You trade all of these picks, and of all the teams in the NBA draft, who had picks, they were the one team that walked away without picking one single player in the first round. This is what they do."
Stephen A. Smith also insinuated that the Knicks hired Jalen Brunson's father, Rick Brunson, as an assistant coach in June to bolster their hopes of acquiring the point guard.
Smith gave Brunson credit for improving his game in the last couple of seasons, but wasn't happy with the way the New York Knicks went about their pursuit if the guard.
"So you hire him (Rick Bruson) this past June when you know you're gonna be recruiting Jalen Brunson, and on top of that all, you're creating this cap space and all of this stuff to get Jalen Brunson. Is he KD? Is he Kawhi Leonard?"
Jalen Brunson's move to New York Knicks gaining momentum
The New York Knicks' efforts to create cap room to sign free agent Jalen Brunson could prove fruitful. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Brunson wants to move to Madison Square Garden. According to Styne, Brunson has been swayed by the chance to lead New York's offense. (H/T Hoops Hype)
Stein also reported that the New York Knicks plan to offer Brunson a four-year $100 million deal. The Knicks are confident that they can move more contracts to create room.
Brunson would be a terrific addition to the Knicks. They need a reliable starting point guard in their ranks. His scoring and playmaking will be invaluable and will also take the pressure off Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.
