The New York Knicks are finalizing a deal to hire Rick Brunson as an assistant coach, SNY's Ian Begley reports.

An official announcement is expected in the coming days, Begley adds.

Brunson played nine years in the NBA, including parts of three seasons with the Knicks. The 49-year-old is the father of Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, who has been linked to New York.

Jalen averaged a career-high 16.3 points in the regular season and 21.6 during the playoffs. He's among the top players available in free agency this summer.

Tom Thibodeau's staff had an opening after assistant coach Kenny Payne departed in March to become Louisville's next bench boss.

Brunson previously served as an assistant under Thibodeau during his stops with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. He reportedly resigned from his position with the latter in 2018 amid allegations of workplace misconduct.

A year later, Brunson became the bench boss at Camden High School in New Jersey, where he coached top-ranked 2023 recruit D.J. Wagner.