Tyler Kolek's impressive NBA Summer League performance might earn him a key bench role with the New York Knicks in his rookie year. According to SNY's Ian Begley, Kolek has moved ahead of nine-year veteran Cam Payne in the Knicks' point guard rotation. "This is where things stand with the projected rotation coming out of Summer League: Rookie Tyler Kolek is currently the backup point guard, ahead of Payne, per people familiar with the matter," Begley wrote on July 21. The Knicks were thrilled to acquire Payne last week, signing him for a veteran’s minimum deal. However, Payne is now viewed as the third lead guard behind Kolek, who had a stellar Summer League performance. Kolek shined in the 2024 NBA Summer League, averaging 7.0 assists per game, the highest among players who played five games in the Las Vegas tournament this year. The crafty playmaker from Marquette also averaged 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals for the Knicks. Despite Kolek's standout performance, his spot in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation isn't guaranteed. He will need to fight for it in the 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 pencil in Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and the Knicks’ yet-to-be-named backup center into Thibodeau’s rotation. Based on current projections after the Payne signing, Miles McBride is in the Knicks’ regular rotation. So to play Kolek, Thibodeau would need to expand his rotation to ten players," Begley added. Kolek was one of the four rookies who looked like steals of the 2024 NBA Draft, according to Bleacher Report’s Mo Dakhil, after watching the Summer League play. Dakhil, a former NBA video coordinator for the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns, highlighted Kolek’s pure playmaking abilities. The Knicks have not had a player like Kolek, as their All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson is more of a crafty scorer than a playmaker. However, the depth of the Knicks' roster might limit Kolek's playing time during his rookie year. "The challenge for Kolek is the depth of the Knicks, which might mean he will not see much playing time. If given the opportunity, he will raise some eyebrows. He can hit catch-and-shoot threes, has a quick burst to get to the rim, and again, his vision will open up opportunities for others. Even though Kolek might not see much court time, the kid can play and was a steal in the second round," Dakhil stated. Kolek’s impressive play has been the talk of Knicks fans on social media. Even his Summer League coach Dice Yoshimoto praised his performance. "He’s got a great floor game," Yoshimoto told Newsday’s Steve Popper after Kolek’s heroics in the Knicks’ first Summer League win against the Sacramento Kings on July 17. "He’s very unselfish, tough-minded, and a great competitor. That’s what we like about him. He makes winning plays." Kolek, who signed a record-setting NBA contract for a second-round pick, is confident and clutch. "I’ve played a lot of games," Kolek said, per Newsday’s Steve Popper. "I’ve been in a lot of moments like that. It’s just being poised, being under control. All the work that I’ve put in has gotten me to this point. Like I said, I’ve been in a lot of games in college. I’m not some first-year rookie that’s just come in playing 10, 12, 15 games in college, maybe only averaged 20 minutes a game. I’ve played a lot of games and I’m really comfortable on the basketball court."

Tyler Kolek’s Rise: From Summer League Star to Knicks’ Backup PG

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Tyler Kolek’s impressive NBA Summer League performance might earn him a key bench role with the New York Knicks in his rookie year.

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

“This is where things stand with the projected rotation coming out of Summer League: Rookie Tyler Kolek is currently the backup point guard, ahead of Payne, per people familiar with the matter,” Begley wrote on July 21.

The Knicks were thrilled to acquire Payne last week, signing him for a veteran’s minimum deal. However, Payne is now viewed as the third lead guard behind Kolek, who had a stellar Summer League performance.

Kolek shined in the 2024 NBA Summer League, averaging 7.0 assists per game, the highest among players who played five games in the Las Vegas tournament this year.

According to the source, the crafty playmaker from Marquette also averaged 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals for the Knicks.

Despite Kolek’s standout performance, his spot in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation isn’t guaranteed. He will need to fight for it in the 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 pencil in Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and the Knicks’ yet-to-be-named backup center into Thibodeau’s rotation.

Based on current projections after the Payne signing, Miles McBride is in the Knicks’ regular rotation. So to play Kolek, Thibodeau would need to expand his rotation to ten players,” Begley added.

Kolek was one of the four rookies who looked like steals of the 2024 NBA Draft, according to Bleacher Report’s Mo Dakhil, after watching the Summer League play.

Dakhil, a former NBA video coordinator for the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns, highlighted Kolek’s pure playmaking abilities.

The Knicks have not had a player like Kolek, as their All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson is more of a crafty scorer than a playmaker. However, the depth of the Knicks’ roster might limit Kolek’s playing time during his rookie year.

“The challenge for Kolek is the depth of the Knicks, which might mean he will not see much playing time. If given the opportunity, he will raise some eyebrows.

He can hit catch-and-shoot threes, has a quick burst to get to the rim, and again, his vision will open up opportunities for others.

Even though Kolek might not see much court time, the kid can play and be a steal in the second round,” Dakhil stated.

Kolek’s impressive play has been the talk of Knicks fans on social media. Even his Summer League coach Dice Yoshimoto praised his performance.

“He’s got a great floor game,” Yoshimoto told Newsday’s Steve Popper after Kolek’s heroics in the Knicks’ first Summer League win against the Sacramento Kings on July 17.

“He’s very unselfish, tough-minded, and a great competitor. That’s what we like about him. He makes winning plays.”

Kolek, who signed a record-setting NBA contract for a second-round pick, is confident and clutch.

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“I’ve played a lot of games,” Kolek said, per Newsday’s Steve Popper. “I’ve been in a lot of moments like that. It’s just being poised, being under control. All the work that I’ve put in has gotten me to this point. Like I said, I’ve been in a lot of games in college.

I’m not some first-year rookie that’s just come in playing 10, 12, 15 games in college, maybe only averaged 20 minutes a game. I’ve played a lot of games and I’m really comfortable on the basketball court.”

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