Jason Kidd happy he helped Jalen Brunson get Knicks payday

Jason Kidd, the Corridor of Fame level guard, may deserve credit score for Jalen Brunson’s new four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks.

Was it any coincidence Brunson, a 2018 second-round draft choose by Dallas, had his profession yr and spectacular playoff run this previous season with Kidd in his first season as Mavericks head coach? In 18 playoff video games, Brunson averaged 21.6 factors, 4.6 rebounds and three.7 assists.

Kidd, a triple-double menace each time he took the courtroom throughout his 19-season NBA profession, which included seven seasons with the Nets and one with the Knicks, took satisfaction in Brunson’s deal.

“The largest factor is I’m blissful he received paid,’’ Kidd mentioned on the “All the Smoke’’ podcast. “He helped us. I do know [Mavericks owner Mark] Cuban doesn’t like this, however I like after I can get a participant receives a commission.’’

After taking part in largely as a backup previous to the 2021-22 season, Brunson emerged as Dallas’ second-best participant and shaped a dynamo tandem with Luca Doncic.

“I inform a participant on the primary day of camp, ‘Inform me what you need,’ ” mentioned Kidd, who was the runner-up when the Knicks employed Tom Thibodeau as head coach in July 2020. “Everybody needs pictures. Everybody needs minutes. However that’s not the reality. They wish to receives a commission and wish to play.

“Cool. I will help you try this. The opposite a part of that’s I’m going to ask for a few issues. Belief, talk and play exhausting. In case you ask Brunson, he’ll inform you he listened [to me] and good issues occurred. I simply wish to put individuals in place to achieve success.’’

No, Cuban isn’t as blissful as Kidd, who will try to switch Brunson with former Internet Spencer Dinwiddie.

The NBA is investigating whether or not the Knicks tampered with Brunson earlier than free company started. One clue is the Brunson household was vacationing in Jamaica when free company opened and had no real interest in assembly or speaking to the Mavericks to listen to their counteroffer.

The Knicks are seemingly going to be punished by forfeiting a draft choose.

“There’s 30 corporations within the NBA,’’ Kidd mentioned. “All of us can’t keep in the identical firm. For him to go to New York to receives a commission and a chance to run his personal group. I’m blissful for him.’’