Knicks · Let's have a Rokument. Rokas Jokubaitis again (page 1)

Is he eligible for the Rookie exception?

Rookie wrote:Is he eligible for the Rookie exception?

He's eligible for the second round exception.

Rokas has size. Knicks need to decide if he or Kolek has the most potential.

TheGame wrote:Rokas has size. Knicks need to decide if he or Kolek has the most potential.

yeah I dont know how Kolek is ahead of him. Would love to see Rokas here. He's playing very well as a pro and they are the same age. Rokas is a bigger stronger player for sure

Knicks can definitely bring him in for that second round exception. Watching him play, he has a different skillset than Kolek. He’s more of a combo guard to me. Much bigger player without the playmaking. I think he’s an nba player though based on Summer League last year.

Right now, saying that Rokas is valuable as a trade sweetener isn’t saying much. I personally believe in creating value and giving Rokas a real chance at a contract would be that. The guy is talented and still young but with pro experience. We are actually thin at backup PG with how uncertain Kolek has looked.

But if it hasn’t happened before, one wonders why they would try now. Depending on how high they are in Diawara and Nnaji, who could both use more time stashed, signing Rokas now and giving him a chance to establish himself as an NBA player would be very productive for us.

Somehow I did not initially register the "Rokument" in the title, that's gold.

A seemingly busy offseason did not include the Knicks. “There was no contact at all,” Rokas Jokubaitis said, and once more ruled out another showing in the NBA Summer League. Back in 2021, he was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 34th overall selection and subsequently traded to the Knicks.

Word seems to be that Rokas is leaving Maccabi for another European team. However, Knicks have stopped making contact. Knicks obviously liked him enough to trade up, but whatever they have seen since then has not given them the confidence to give him a roster spot when there have been opportunities.

I'd suspect if another NBA team wanted him they can get that done. not like we gonna get a 1st round pick, or even a 2nd at this juncture.

He is 6-4, not overly strong, not fast, but he can shoot. Good Euro player.
Not much to argue over. Im sure he'd want some sort of guarantee even if minimal.

Knicksfan wrote:Right now, saying that Rokas is valuable as a trade sweetener isn’t saying much. I personally believe in creating value and giving Rokas a real chance at a contract would be that. The guy is talented and still young but with pro experience. We are actually thin at backup PG with how uncertain Kolek has looked.

But if it hasn’t happened before, one wonders why they would try now. Depending on how high they are in Diawara and Nnaji, who could both use more time stashed, signing Rokas now and giving him a chance to establish himself as an NBA player would be very productive for us.

Clarkson will and Deuce can slide in over at PG. Kolek mostly represents a possible long term answer for the backup PG position. But he isn't going to be relied upon for backup PG mins unless he forces that issue.

Brining in Rokus makes sense because he has unknown upside while having a relatively safe floor given his pro experience. Probably a better gamble than most other available vets.

The issue with Rokus has always been that he has claimed he is only interested in coming over only if the Knicks have a dedicated role and mins for him. Which has never really materialized. Thibs understandably was never going to do that. Rokus would have had to have been on the roster and earned Thibs trust like Deuce did. Rokus understandably said hey I rather get steady mins and role overseas.

Once Knicks locked in on drafting Kolek while also going into the season having Deuce locked signed up. They probably no longer felt a need for Rokus. If they lose faith in Kolek then they may circle back though they would probably just draft PG this coming draft.

newyorknewyork wrote:Brining in Rokus makes sense because he has unknown upside while having a relatively safe floor given his pro experience. Probably a better gamble than most other available vets.

The issue with Rokus has always been that he has claimed he is only interested in coming over only if the Knicks have a dedicated role and mins for him. Which has never really materialized. Thibs understandably was never going to do that. Rokus would have had to have been on the roster and earned Thibs trust like Deuce did. Rokus understandably said hey I rather get steady mins and role overseas.

Once Knicks locked in on drafting Kolek while also going into the season having Deuce locked signed up. They probably no longer felt a need for Rokus. If they lose faith in Kolek then they may circle back though they would probably just draft PG this coming draft.

I never read he "claimed" anything but it's been implied and logical. It's relatively safe for Knicks but not for him if he does not have a logical guarantee of some sorts. I believe he makes about 1mm or there abouts in Europe. Its an issue becuase he has no demontrated an obvious talent for knicks or any team to bring him in.
In this CBA there are always talent surplus that provide opportunities for young players and vets that can move out of the way on non contenders and land in a limited role for a team looking to win now. This is our list and I'd rather have Shamet/simmons/smart for that small role.

Nalod wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:Brining in Rokus makes sense because he has unknown upside while having a relatively safe floor given his pro experience. Probably a better gamble than most other available vets.

The issue with Rokus has always been that he has claimed he is only interested in coming over only if the Knicks have a dedicated role and mins for him. Which has never really materialized. Thibs understandably was never going to do that. Rokus would have had to have been on the roster and earned Thibs trust like Deuce did. Rokus understandably said hey I rather get steady mins and role overseas.

Once Knicks locked in on drafting Kolek while also going into the season having Deuce locked signed up. They probably no longer felt a need for Rokus. If they lose faith in Kolek then they may circle back though they would probably just draft PG this coming draft.

I never read he "claimed" anything but it's been implied and logical. It's relatively safe for Knicks but not for him if he does not have a logical guarantee of some sorts. I believe he makes about 1mm or there abouts in Europe. Its an issue becuase he has no demontrated an obvious talent for knicks or any team to bring him in.
In this CBA there are always talent surplus that provide opportunities for young players and vets that can move out of the way on non contenders and land in a limited role for a team looking to win now. This is our list and I'd rather have Shamet/simmons/smart for that small role.

Pretty sure I read this from him or a rep that spoke for him stating so. He has only played a couple of summer league games for the Knicks outside of that he has been overseas. Hasn't played in any preseason games to even see him in that setting with other veteran NBA players. Attempt to make the team, grind his way to earn rotation mins down the road etc.

He didn't join this years summer league team in an attempt to demonstrate he has developed into an obvious NBA ready player. He recently stated he already proved himself and its up to the Knicks to make the call. This isn't someone who views himself as a person who isn't NBA ready and working to earn a chance at the NBA.

On the other end Deuce Mcbride wasn't an NBA player his first 2 years while actively on the Knicks roster either. He just grinded his way within the org visibly. Gained confidence from his shooting practicing with the club and his work in the G-League.

For Rokus, very hard to tell if he is NBA material or not based off a couple summer league games and overseas play. We are a contender so Shamet would be the best choice given his work already done with the Knicks makes him a very safe choice as someone who could contribute when called upon. Rokus would represent more of a possible long term angle if he were to work out as an NBA player.

I think it’s safe to say this ship has sailed. They should have had him on the roster last year along with Valančiūnas. Alas our FO is not perfect. They miss things like anyone else.