Knicks rookies chase roster spots while Las Vegas losses pile up
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Second-round pick Tyler Nickel says outside shooting is the reason New York called his name at No. 47 in last month’s draft. The 6’7” wing has backed that up in Las Vegas, knocking down 10 of 21 three-point attempts over the Knicks’ first two Summer League games. Nickel, who shot 39.4% from deep during his Vanderbilt career, has not yet signed a contract and is viewed as a candidate for a two-way deal.
“I feel really comfortable shooting off the move, so like Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, Sam Hauser,” Nickel said. “But then I have my own type of way of being.”
German guard Jack Kayil, selected eight spots earlier at No. 39, also hopes to stay stateside. “My goal is to play in the NBA,” Kayil said, though he acknowledged the club could choose to stash him overseas. In his Summer League debut Saturday, the 6’4” guard recorded 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in 21 minutes.
New York has dropped its first two games in Las Vegas by an average of 23.5 points. Forward Mohamed Diawara, who just signed a four-year, $11.2 million deal to remain with the Knicks, is averaging 3.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 1-for-14 from the floor. “I’ve got to do way better,” the Frenchman said after Friday’s loss.
Summer League head coach T.J. Saint is leading the roster after one season as an assistant on Mike Brown’s staff. Saint previously spent three seasons as head coach and three as an assistant with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate and has also held positions with the Pistons and Hawks.
Source: Hoops Rumors
