Brunson jokes – During the Knicks’ ticker-tape parade on June 18, Jalen Brunson joked that he’d trade the Larry O’Brien Trophy for a pricey AP watch Michael Rainey Jr. was wearing—an exchange that turned a trophy moment into a street-level laugh.
Jalen Brunson was walking in celebration mode on Thursday, June 18, holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy during the Knicks’ ticker-tape parade—when a simple camera moment turned into a joke worth remembering.
Power actor Michael Rainey Jr. was beside Brunson and started recording as Brunson held up the championship hardware. The NBA Finals MVP noticed Rainey Jr. filming, smiled for the camera, then looked down at the actor’s wrist.
That’s when the surprise came. Rainey Jr. was wearing an expensive AP watch. Brunson’s reaction wasn’t subtle—he offered a straight-up “trade” for the trophy, joking to Rainey Jr. that he could have the Larry O’Brien Trophy in exchange for the watch.
Rainey Jr. didn’t hesitate. The actor can be heard saying, “You can have this s–t,” and adding, “On God, you can have this s–t. I’m taking it off my wrist right now.”
The parade itself carried the weight of a franchise moment: New York celebrated the Knicks’ championship title last week after their victory over the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. It was the franchise’s first-ever ticker-tape parade. and the floats brought a mix of teammates and major stars into the streets.
Alongside Brunson. Knicks players Josh Hart. Karl-Anthony Towns. OG Anunoby. Mikal Bridges. Jose Alvardo. and others were seen riding as the team celebrated with New York fans. The event also drew a star-studded crowd. with appearances from Timothée Chalamet. Spike Lee. Tracy Morgan. Ben Stiller. Fat Joe. Mariska Hargitay. and more.
Knicks alumni also turned out, including Walt Fraiser, Pat Ewing, and Charles Oakley, joining the championship celebration with what organizers described as over one million fans.
After the parade concluded, Brunson, coach Mike Brown, and Knicks owner James Dolan were given keys to the City of New York.
In his remarks at New York City Hall during the celebration, Brunson addressed the noise that comes with a title. “There’s a lot of people that have a lot of negative stuff to say,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who have a lot of opinions. But when you prove them wrong, you really don’t have to say s— to them. They don’t deserve it.”.
He also put the focus on the feeling of finally getting it done. “D–n, New York, we really did it,” Brunson said. “Somehow, someway I knew we were going to find a way to get this done.”
For one stretch of the parade route, though, the biggest story wasn’t just the trophy—it was what happened when a camera caught the moment Brunson noticed the watch, smiled, and turned a championship still into a street-level joke.
Jalen Brunson Knicks parade Larry O'Brien Trophy Michael Rainey Jr. AP watch NBA Finals MVP Game 5 Spurs 94-90 Mike Brown James Dolan New York City Hall
Wait so he really tried to trade the trophy for a watch?? That’s wild lol
I mean AP watches cost a fortune so I get it. Also why is the actor talking like that on video… “on God”??
This is the type of joke that only makes sense if you don’t think about it. Like trading the Larry O’Brien is basically sacrilege, but it’s funny bc it’s flashy?? Idk. Knicks parade was cool though.
AP watch like the brand? That dude should’ve just offered a regular Rolex instead lol. Also wasn’t this parade last year? I’m confused on the dates. Congrats to them I guess.