The New York Knicks in recent years have been masterminds in obtaining stupendous value from their acquisitions, whether it be through the draft or free agency.
See Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Deuce McBride, Mitchell Robinson and even former Knick Immanuel Quickley.
They seem to have done it again with Marquette guard Tyler Kolek. The 34th selection in the 2024 NBA Draft will look to be a crucial piece in getting New York over the final hump.
To those that follow the college-basketball world, the name should be very familiar. In 2023, Kolek was named the Big East Player of the Year. He followed it up this past year as a senior by leading the NCAA with 7.7 assists per game. Under Kolek and Head Coach Shaka Smart, Marquette enjoyed a trip to the Sweet 16, as Kolek went on to average 18.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.3 assists for the tournament.
With Summer League play officially wrapped up for the Knicks, it was easy to see the role that Kolek would fill if given the opportunity to contribute early on in his career. Through five games, Kolek went on to average 7.0 assists, tied for fifth-highest among players to appear in more than one game. He showed poise when controlling the offense from the jump, while also dazzling with passes that are sure to electrify Madison Square Garden in the near future.
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On top of that, Tyler Kolek made a number of key plays in late-game situations. This was highlighted against the Sacramento Kings, which not only featured a dominant offensive performance, but also an and-one, game-winning layup that propelled the team to victory and a 3-2 overall record.
As he continues his transition to the pro level, the 23-year-old already possesses elite shot-making ability, whether it be attacking the inside, or from beyond the arc where he is a career 36-percent shooter. Couple that with the aforementioned playmaking and it is easy to see why Leon Rose and Co. were quick to make Kolek the highest-paid second-round pick in NBA history.
Kolek does still have a long way to go in terms of being a plus on-ball defender, and his 6-foot-1 frame is likely to make him a mismatch for taller guards early on in his career. What he does possess is a knack for the ball, however, as evidenced by his 1.5 steals per game mark for his college career.
Much like his new teammate Jalen Brunson, Kolek has a way of getting in the passing lanes to disrupt the flow of an offense. Plays like these will be a quick way to gain Thibodeau’s trust.
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As the team continues to tinker with roster gymnastics and filling in the void left by the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein, Tyler Kolek will need to learn to play alongside fellow guard Deuce McBride, who in portions of last season filled in a similar role, especially as injuries began to pile up for the Knicks.
If Kolek can become the lead distributor for the second unit that features McBride, DiVincenzo and Josh Hart, it would create a very flashy and most importantly deep group that can be interwoven with the starting lineup of Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson at any point.
Having already drawn plenty of comparisons to Pacers guard TJ McConnell, the hope is that Kolek can quickly develop into a bullpen-type help for Jalen Brunson.
By being able to facilitate the offense and give Brunson enough rest to keep him fresh towards the end of games, the Knicks can avoid some of the lingering pains they suffered at the end of their last playoff campaign.
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