‘NBA Draft Steal’ Pounces on 9-Year Veteran as Knicks Backup PG: Insider

Tyler Kolek’s stellar NBA Summer League performance could lead to him being benched in his rookie year with the New York Knicks.

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Kolek has the edge over nine-year veteran Cam Payne in the Knicks’ point guard rotation.

“Here’s where things stand with the projected rotation after Summer League: Rookie Tyler Kolek is currently the backup point guard, ahead of Payne, according to people familiar with the matter,” Begley wrote on July 21.

“The Knicks were very happy to get Payne last week. (He signed a veteran’s minimum deal.) Right now, he’s seen as the third lead guard behind Kolek, who had a very strong Summer League.”

Kolek captured the 2024 NBA Summer League with an average of 7.0 assists per game, the most of any player who played five games in this year’s Las Vegas tournament.

The crafty playmaker from Marquette also had 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals for the Knicks.

However, given the Knicks’ stacked roster, Kolek’s spot in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation isn’t set in stone. He’ll have to fight for it in training camp and preseason games.

“Will Kolek be in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation? I don’t know the answer to that question. You can certainly include Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and the Knicks’ yet-to-be-named backup center in Thibodeau’s rotation. Based on current projections following the Payne signing, Miles McBride is in the Knicks’ core rotation. So in order for Kolek to play, Thibodeau would have to expand his rotation to 10 players,” Begley wrote.

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NBA-Ready Rookie Looks Like NBA Draft Steal

According to Bleacher Report’s Mo Dakhil, Kolek was one of four rookies who looked like a steal in the 2024 NBA Draft after watching Summer League.

Dakhil, a former NBA video coordinator for the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns, called Kolek’s greatest attribute: being a pure playmaker.

The Knicks have never had such a player on their roster, as their All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson is more of a crafty scorer than a playmaker. Dakhil, like Begley, also pointed out that the Knicks’ roster crunch could bury Kolek on the bench during his rookie year.

“The challenge for Kolek is the depth of the Knicks, which could mean he doesn’t get much playing time. If he does get the chance, he’ll raise some eyebrows. He can make catch-and-shoot threes, has a quick burst to get to the rim and again, his vision will open up opportunities for others.

Knicks Summer League Coach Impressed With Tyler Kolek

Kole’s stellar play is the toast of Knicks fans on X, formerly Twitter. Even his Summer League coach Dice Yoshimoto agreed with the sentiment.

“He’s got a great floor game,” Yoshimoto told Newsday’s Steve Popper after Kolek’s heroics in the Knicks’ first Summer League win over the Sacramento Kings on July 17. “(He’s) very unselfish, tough. He’s a great competitor. That’s what we like about him. He makes winning plays.”

Kolek, who signed a record-breaking NBA contract for a second-round pick, is confident and performing well.

“I’ve played a lot of games,” Kolek said, according to Newsday’s Steve Popper. “I’ve had a lot of moments like this. It’s about being calm, being in control.”

“All the work I’ve put in has gotten me to this point. Like I said, I’ve played a lot of games in college. I’m not a freshman rookie who’s going to play 10, 12, 15 games in college, maybe averaging 20 minutes a game. I’ve played a lot of games and I’m very comfortable on the basketball court.”