Young Knicks ready to shine at NBA Summer League
The Knicks summer league roster was announced on Monday. In last year’s draft class, first and second round picks, Packom Dier, Tyler Kolic, and Ariel Hook Party are three names that just immediately jumped out to us because these are all guys that we feel like can have a chance to fight for some minutes in their second season with the franchise and what Knicks fans hope is a deeper bench. So, here’s what to watch from who when things kick off on Friday. And we’ll start with Packom. He’s only 19 years old, but his ceiling is very high. He got some garbage time in 18 regular season games, but he did average almost 14 points a game in the G-League. Now, do I expect him to have a breakout year this season and maybe be the sixman of the year? No. But you don’t use a first round pick on a teenager if you don’t think that he’s going to develop into something special. Expect a better summer league this year than last year. Tyler Kolic is a kid that I think has a chance to really make a name for himself in this new regime and fight for some increased minutes and really carve a role out for himself. In his best game last season, he had nine assists in a win against Dallas and he’s become a fan favorite. I don’t want to see this kid in Westchester this season. I think he can be this team’s TJ McConnell. Ariel Hookport is a seven-footer who you guys know stepped in last season at times due to injury, but he made the best of his opportunities. I think we would have seen a lot more of him, but he tore his meniscus in his first start back in February. All eyes are going to be on this kid because before that injury, he was really giving Tom Tibidel some good minutes. Eight points, two offensive rebounds, and one block shot in 16 minutes. Now, there’s also James Naji who was involved in the cat trade and he’s coming over from Barcelona. And if you think about it and you look at the roster, there are a lot of international Nicks on this summer league squad. Another guy to keep an eye on is Dink Pate. He’s a G-League Ignite player that people think has a lot of upside and potential as well, and he’s only 19 years old. The Knicks kick off their summer league action on Friday at 6 PM against the Detroit Pistons.
Before the Knicks begin play in the 2025 NBA Summer League, Brandon London breaks down the young Bockers’ to watch for during play in Las Vegas.
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5 Comments
Dink Pate will surprise a lot of us.
Kolek is a good passer but he is small. TJ McConnell , though small plays defense Kolek does not at least not yet. He needs to be more disruptive. Hukporti just needs to get better at what he does. he played good minutes last season. Dadiet is young and still needs to adjust to the NBA game. He needs to work on his shot, ball handling and attack the game with more aggression. I'm hoping he's not another Frank Ntilikina. James Nnaji I guess is worth a look but with Towns, Robinson, Hukporti will have a chance to make the roster?? Dink Pate in my opinion is the interesting one to watch. He has the athleticism that the team lack at the wing being a young high flyer. But can he put it all together? I hope so, if he can consistently his a jumper and show effort on defense then we have something potentially special.
Kolek does not plays defense and it's a major issue. Dadiet is young and still needs to adjust to the NBA game.
What's the difference between summer league roster and G league roster?
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