Knicks · Knicks Bench Outlook (page 5)

Knixkik @ 8/7/2026 7:10 AM
martin wrote:

Some kinda vague language from Fred in a few spots, or at least it was confusing enough I had to read sentences a couple of times to figure out what he meant

According to this report, Knicks second-round pick Jack Kayil is heading back to Europe. August 5th was the deadline for teams to tender qualifying offers to retain the draft rights of unsigned second-round rookies, and that also didn't happen for other second-round pick Tyler Nickel, who I've heard is considering a return to college (more NIL money) over a two-way contract with the Knicks.

None of these media folks know what the deadline actually means. Obviously the Knicks aren’t just forgoing Nickel’s draft rights. What would be the point of that ?

martin @ 8/7/2026 8:05 AM
Knixkik wrote:
martin wrote:

Some kinda vague language from Fred in a few spots, or at least it was confusing enough I had to read sentences a couple of times to figure out what he meant

According to this report, Knicks second-round pick Jack Kayil is heading back to Europe. August 5th was the deadline for teams to tender qualifying offers to retain the draft rights of unsigned second-round rookies, and that also didn't happen for other second-round pick Tyler Nickel, who I've heard is considering a return to college (more NIL money) over a two-way contract with the Knicks.

None of these media folks know what the deadline actually means. Obviously the Knicks aren’t just forgoing Nickel’s draft rights. What would be the point of that ?

Right, that's why I thought it was not clear enough. Seems impossible that the Knicks would draft those guys and not make a qualifying offer and just let them go? Cause that's what the post implies?

martin @ 8/7/2026 8:14 AM
Knixkik wrote:
martin wrote:

Some kinda vague language from Fred in a few spots, or at least it was confusing enough I had to read sentences a couple of times to figure out what he meant

According to this report, Knicks second-round pick Jack Kayil is heading back to Europe. August 5th was the deadline for teams to tender qualifying offers to retain the draft rights of unsigned second-round rookies, and that also didn't happen for other second-round pick Tyler Nickel, who I've heard is considering a return to college (more NIL money) over a two-way contract with the Knicks.

None of these media folks know what the deadline actually means. Obviously the Knicks aren’t just forgoing Nickel’s draft rights. What would be the point of that ?

You were correct

Nalod @ 8/7/2026 4:08 PM
Curious If Kayil's contract gives him annual outs?
Biggest risk is he does well enough to get a buy out but not enough to get a guarantee. Kind of what happend to Rokas. He got hurt, and he had a nice enough contract in europe. He does that in the NBA its not as good. Those Euro contracts can be nasty also.
Panos @ 8/7/2026 5:00 PM
Nalod wrote:Curious If Kayil's contract gives him annual outs?
Biggest risk is he does well enough to get a buy out but not enough to get a guarantee. Kind of what happend to Rokas. He got hurt, and he had a nice enough contract in europe. He does that in the NBA its not as good. Those Euro contracts can be nasty also.

Not a fan of the draft-n-stash. Hasn't worked out for us yet.

martin @ 8/7/2026 9:02 PM
Panos wrote:
Nalod wrote:Curious If Kayil's contract gives him annual outs?
Biggest risk is he does well enough to get a buy out but not enough to get a guarantee. Kind of what happend to Rokas. He got hurt, and he had a nice enough contract in europe. He does that in the NBA its not as good. Those Euro contracts can be nasty also.

Not a fan of the draft-n-stash. Hasn't worked out for us yet.

We shall say those past ones may be more on the player, this one about the second apron and roster spots

martin @ 8/8/2026 11:36 AM
Teams are allowed up to 21 guys on roster through training camp, preseason, and to the eve of regular season. By near end of October, teams need to get down to 15 roster spots (you need at least 14 but can have 13 for like 2 week stretches).

Knicks are at 13 rosters spots today. Knicks are currently $3.3M under the second apron https://www.spotrac.com/nba/new-york-kni...

Second round rookie exception starts at the vet min price for zero years experience, so $1.36m for Nickel. Most all other vet min contracts count at a smidge under $2.45m against the cap. Nickel + vet min signing now = $1.36m + $2.45m = $3.81m, above the amount left for Knicks under the second apron.

Knicks either have to make a trade for a 3rd C or wait until during the season to sign a vet min player who is cut to the 15th roster spot.

EwingsGlass @ 8/10/2026 8:34 AM
martin wrote:Teams are allowed up to 21 guys on roster through training camp, preseason, and to the eve of regular season. By near end of October, teams need to get down to 15 roster spots (you need at least 14 but can have 13 for like 2 week stretches).

Knicks are at 13 rosters spots today. Knicks are currently $3.3M under the second apron https://www.spotrac.com/nba/new-york-kni...

Second round rookie exception starts at the vet min price for zero years experience, so $1.36m for Nickel. Most all other vet min contracts count at a smidge under $2.45m against the cap. Nickel + vet min signing now = $1.36m + $2.45m = $3.81m, above the amount left for Knicks under the second apron.

Knicks either have to make a trade for a 3rd C or wait until during the season to sign a vet min player who is cut to the 15th roster spot.


I thought they had structured some of those contracts a little more favorable to the cap for another 400k of savings. That would have covered both Nickel and a vet. Now that we see the actual numbers, they really need to make a decision on Dadiet and/or Deuce. That Clarkson contract is a bit of a luxury when they have so few big men and so many guards. I trust the team. Curious how this works out despite not drafting Cam Carr. Or Tari Eason.
martin @ 8/10/2026 10:02 AM
EwingsGlass wrote:
martin wrote:Teams are allowed up to 21 guys on roster through training camp, preseason, and to the eve of regular season. By near end of October, teams need to get down to 15 roster spots (you need at least 14 but can have 13 for like 2 week stretches).

Knicks are at 13 rosters spots today. Knicks are currently $3.3M under the second apron https://www.spotrac.com/nba/new-york-kni...

Second round rookie exception starts at the vet min price for zero years experience, so $1.36m for Nickel. Most all other vet min contracts count at a smidge under $2.45m against the cap. Nickel + vet min signing now = $1.36m + $2.45m = $3.81m, above the amount left for Knicks under the second apron.

Knicks either have to make a trade for a 3rd C or wait until during the season to sign a vet min player who is cut to the 15th roster spot.


I thought they had structured some of those contracts a little more favorable to the cap for another 400k of savings. That would have covered both Nickel and a vet. Now that we see the actual numbers, they really need to make a decision on Dadiet and/or Deuce. That Clarkson contract is a bit of a luxury when they have so few big men and so many guards. I trust the team. Curious how this works out despite not drafting Cam Carr. Or Tari Eason.

We now see how tight the actual budget is: even with Shamet, GTA, Mo signed to ridiculously friendly contracts that each of them could have probably gotten double on the open market(?), and even with the Mikal and Brunson 10-20% discounts (on open market), the Knicks are at the red line within their stupid second apron budget. Without Mitch.

martin @ 8/10/2026 10:20 AM

The Knicks may need these 3 young players sooner than expected
James L. Edwards III


The Knicks are fine for now, but eventually internal development will need to kick in for the franchise to continue on its winning trajectory.

With big money tied to its core veteran players, the best way for New York to keep rolling is with the help of young players beginning to show regular flashes of NBA potential. After the Knicks went deep into June during their championship run last year, they may need to lean on youngsters earlier in the season to, at the very least, learn what they have at home.

New York has three players on the roster who have less than three years of NBA experience — Tyler Kolek (25), Pacôme Dadiet (21) and Mohamed Diawara (21). The Knicks also added two second-round players in this year’s NBA draft, though their futures with the franchise for this season are more unstable. New York draft pick Jack Kayil, a guard from Germany, is going back to Europe, per a recent overseas report. Tyler Nickel, a swingman from Vanderbilt, is part of the 2022 class that a federal court determined can return to school for a fifth year of eligibility. August 5 was the deadline for teams to issue a required tender for unsigned second-round rookies. The Knicks did that for both Kayil and Nickel, meaning they own their NBA rights, even as the former returns overseas and the latter, per league sources, weighs the option to return to college. If Nickel elects to return to college, it is expected that his NIL money would exceed the two-way contract salary with New York.

In short: It’s very possible the Knicks don’t add a new draftee to its roster this season.

So, for this exercise, we’re going to rank the three youthful Knicks on standard contracts from most likely to contribute to least likely to contribute next season — barring injuries to those players ahead of them in the depth chart.


1. Mohamed Diawara

This one is a no-brainer.

Despite a few poor summer league performances and a finger injury, Diawara showed flashes last season as a rookie when playing alongside legitimate NBA talent. Head coach Mike Brown made the former second-round pick a regular rotation fixture for nearly two months during his rookie season.

Diawara, a 6-foot-9 wing, impressed with his ability to knock down open 3s, make good reads with the ball in his hands and showed moments as a solid on-ball defender. The runway for big minutes won’t be there because he’s behind OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges on the depth chart, but Brown can find minutes for a wing of Diawara’s size and skill semi-regularly.

Summer league didn’t go well for Diawara, but he won’t be expected to be the primary initiator or focus when he’s playing with the big-boy club. As long as he continues to take advantage of the opportunities on both ends that come with being part of such a talented roster, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s a staple in the rotation as soon as halfway through next season.


2. Tyler Kolek

Kolek is an interesting case study because he has NBA skills — primarily as an offensive table setter and passer — but the Knicks haven’t fully trusted him with a significant role since his arrival.

The team added backup point guard Jose Alvarado at last year’s trade deadline, signaling that it didn’t feel Kolek was ready to contribute to a championship push. With that said, Kolek has some fans around the NBA. Representatives from a few teams have asked me why Kolek doesn’t play more. His 3-point shooting and defense improved in his second season. However, Kolek has built-in limitations on that end of the floor because he’s barely above 6-foot and isn’t the most athletic.

Alvarado, who signed a new contract to return last month, will continue to get first crack at backing up Jalen Brunson. And the team still has Miles McBride, who it uses at times in that role. Kolek, though, could get opportunities throughout the season if Alvarado is having a rough patch and/or the offense shows some of the stagnancy that was present for stretches during the regular season.

I’d keep an eye on Kolek as a trade candidate, too, if the Knicks feel the need to upgrade the roster. I can’t see them moving any of the big-money players. I also can’t see them moving Diawara soon, and I don’t know any team knocking on New York’s door for Dadiet without New York attaching meaningful draft capital. A package of McBride, who is playing on the final year of his deal at $3.9 million, and Kolek would allow the Knicks to get a player who makes slightly more than $6 million.

Kolek, though, has NBA skills and it would be worth it for New York to explore that a little bit more than it has in the past.


3. Pacôme Dadiet

Behind the scenes, there are some in the Knicks organization who believe Dadiet, a 6-foot-7 wing, will turn a corner. Development doesn’t just happen in one game. Teams have other ways of evaluating if a player is progressing in a way that they believe is par for the course. Apparently, to some, Dadiet is showing signs of promise when the lights are off.

Yet, Dadiet will eventually have to show something when the lights are on.

Dadiet hasn’t shot the 3 well in the NBA, G League or even summer league. His shot isn’t broken, but it just hasn’t translated to game success. He’s not currently someone who makes plays with the ball in his hands, either. However, Dadiet showed some progress as an off-ball mover, particularly as a cutter, this past summer league. It was a promising development for a young player who is behind two excellent cutters in Anunoby and Bridges on the depth chart. Dadiet said that watching those two has shown him how he can make an impact in Brown’s system.

Other than in garbage time, I’m not sure where the minutes are for Dadiet this season unless the Knicks prioritize finding out if he’s worth keeping around in the future, which they very well could.

Building off of the cutting from summer league and hustle plays, which Dadiet does well, appears to be his best path to minutes right now.

martin @ 8/10/2026 10:21 AM
The only thing I've seen posted by the beat guys re Dadiet

Knixkik @ 8/10/2026 5:15 PM
martin wrote:The only thing I've seen posted by the beat guys re Dadiet

He’s been such an afterthought. He really looks the part, but just hasn’t produced. The thing about him is he looks like he should be a good shooter, but the ball never goes in the hoop.

Knixkik @ 8/11/2026 5:58 AM
martin wrote:

The Knicks may need these 3 young players sooner than expected
James L. Edwards III


The Knicks are fine for now, but eventually internal development will need to kick in for the franchise to continue on its winning trajectory.

With big money tied to its core veteran players, the best way for New York to keep rolling is with the help of young players beginning to show regular flashes of NBA potential. After the Knicks went deep into June during their championship run last year, they may need to lean on youngsters earlier in the season to, at the very least, learn what they have at home.

New York has three players on the roster who have less than three years of NBA experience — Tyler Kolek (25), Pacôme Dadiet (21) and Mohamed Diawara (21). The Knicks also added two second-round players in this year’s NBA draft, though their futures with the franchise for this season are more unstable. New York draft pick Jack Kayil, a guard from Germany, is going back to Europe, per a recent overseas report. Tyler Nickel, a swingman from Vanderbilt, is part of the 2022 class that a federal court determined can return to school for a fifth year of eligibility. August 5 was the deadline for teams to issue a required tender for unsigned second-round rookies. The Knicks did that for both Kayil and Nickel, meaning they own their NBA rights, even as the former returns overseas and the latter, per league sources, weighs the option to return to college. If Nickel elects to return to college, it is expected that his NIL money would exceed the two-way contract salary with New York.

In short: It’s very possible the Knicks don’t add a new draftee to its roster this season.

So, for this exercise, we’re going to rank the three youthful Knicks on standard contracts from most likely to contribute to least likely to contribute next season — barring injuries to those players ahead of them in the depth chart.


1. Mohamed Diawara

This one is a no-brainer.

Despite a few poor summer league performances and a finger injury, Diawara showed flashes last season as a rookie when playing alongside legitimate NBA talent. Head coach Mike Brown made the former second-round pick a regular rotation fixture for nearly two months during his rookie season.

Diawara, a 6-foot-9 wing, impressed with his ability to knock down open 3s, make good reads with the ball in his hands and showed moments as a solid on-ball defender. The runway for big minutes won’t be there because he’s behind OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges on the depth chart, but Brown can find minutes for a wing of Diawara’s size and skill semi-regularly.

Summer league didn’t go well for Diawara, but he won’t be expected to be the primary initiator or focus when he’s playing with the big-boy club. As long as he continues to take advantage of the opportunities on both ends that come with being part of such a talented roster, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s a staple in the rotation as soon as halfway through next season.


2. Tyler Kolek

Kolek is an interesting case study because he has NBA skills — primarily as an offensive table setter and passer — but the Knicks haven’t fully trusted him with a significant role since his arrival.

The team added backup point guard Jose Alvarado at last year’s trade deadline, signaling that it didn’t feel Kolek was ready to contribute to a championship push. With that said, Kolek has some fans around the NBA. Representatives from a few teams have asked me why Kolek doesn’t play more. His 3-point shooting and defense improved in his second season. However, Kolek has built-in limitations on that end of the floor because he’s barely above 6-foot and isn’t the most athletic.

Alvarado, who signed a new contract to return last month, will continue to get first crack at backing up Jalen Brunson. And the team still has Miles McBride, who it uses at times in that role. Kolek, though, could get opportunities throughout the season if Alvarado is having a rough patch and/or the offense shows some of the stagnancy that was present for stretches during the regular season.

I’d keep an eye on Kolek as a trade candidate, too, if the Knicks feel the need to upgrade the roster. I can’t see them moving any of the big-money players. I also can’t see them moving Diawara soon, and I don’t know any team knocking on New York’s door for Dadiet without New York attaching meaningful draft capital. A package of McBride, who is playing on the final year of his deal at $3.9 million, and Kolek would allow the Knicks to get a player who makes slightly more than $6 million.

Kolek, though, has NBA skills and it would be worth it for New York to explore that a little bit more than it has in the past.


3. Pacôme Dadiet

Behind the scenes, there are some in the Knicks organization who believe Dadiet, a 6-foot-7 wing, will turn a corner. Development doesn’t just happen in one game. Teams have other ways of evaluating if a player is progressing in a way that they believe is par for the course. Apparently, to some, Dadiet is showing signs of promise when the lights are off.

Yet, Dadiet will eventually have to show something when the lights are on.

Dadiet hasn’t shot the 3 well in the NBA, G League or even summer league. His shot isn’t broken, but it just hasn’t translated to game success. He’s not currently someone who makes plays with the ball in his hands, either. However, Dadiet showed some progress as an off-ball mover, particularly as a cutter, this past summer league. It was a promising development for a young player who is behind two excellent cutters in Anunoby and Bridges on the depth chart. Dadiet said that watching those two has shown him how he can make an impact in Brown’s system.

Other than in garbage time, I’m not sure where the minutes are for Dadiet this season unless the Knicks prioritize finding out if he’s worth keeping around in the future, which they very well could.

Building off of the cutting from summer league and hustle plays, which Dadiet does well, appears to be his best path to minutes right now.

It’s a nice summary. Mo is the x-factor obviously. Such a wide range of outcomes for him here. Kolek is pretty much what we expected him to become, but how does he ever break through with a consistent role here ? Dadiet seems to be only still on the team to eventually add salary to a trade. Just not sure I see a positive alternative role with the Knicks at this point. Nickel is who I am most intrigued with outside of Diawara as far as future role here, and I hope the Knicks can figure out his contract.

martin @ 8/16/2026 2:41 PM
Diawara is like a top 15 draft pick but on a second round salary scale who we already have had a sneak peak preview on

Alpha1971 @ 8/16/2026 10:21 PM
No news on a new center, I'm thinking we get Jericho Simms back for Dadiet and a couple of seconds
Nalod @ 8/17/2026 9:04 AM
Sims was under the coaching of Thibs not Mike Brown. There is always the possiblity he is not desired on this roster?
Sims was a human pogo stick but there was defenseive lapses and perhaps some caused by "Thibian Anxiety"......(That thing where players look over thier shoulder to get the hook?)

Perhaps im not also so quick to disguard Dadiet so fast. Two seasons two coaches. Season two was a championship season and yet he still got a chance to crack rotation early on. Just turned 21. Yes, he should dominate gleague but we all know thats not the full story. If reports are true the team things he is close to getting it down then I'd expect a far greater return for him and a couple of 2nds than Simms.

But......There is a need and Im not exactly offering any solid solutions so Simms is not a bad idea if thats all we can get.

martin @ 8/17/2026 10:25 AM
Knicks are back to back Championship hunting. I don't have a whiff of what Leon is thinking but I'm confident enough that they will not target the likes of Sims.
BlueKnickers @ 8/17/2026 10:27 PM
martin wrote:Knicks are back to back Championship hunting. I don't have a whiff of what Leon is thinking but I'm confident enough that they will not target the likes of Sims.

Leon is shopping for a NY Deli roast beef on rye. Sims is a hot pocket.

Nalod @ 8/18/2026 8:41 AM
BlueKnickers wrote:
martin wrote:Knicks are back to back Championship hunting. I don't have a whiff of what Leon is thinking but I'm confident enough that they will not target the likes of Sims.

Leon is shopping for a NY Deli roast beef on rye. Sims is a hot pocket.

Sims had his best season for the tanking Bucks playing 19min a game. with career highs for rebs' and Pts. 5.5 rebs and 5 pts.
Hot pocket or Crustable, he would be 3rd string. This is what 2.5mil buys these days. One might have to make an assumption that with more minutes he gained experience and poise? His contract also runs out this year.

Logic dictates given extensions to others and with just 13 roster spots taken with many questions to be answers such as Deuce and Nickel there is a trade to be made. What that is remains to be rumored.

August is kind of a vacation month for Front offices to some extent. Im only guessing Leon is not neglecting the need and has irons in the fire to not leave Knicks with two centers. Drummond might not be washed up but at age 33 played a solid 19 min avg himself and had nice numbers over 63 games. KAT won't play 82 games and yes we need another player who can in a pinch play.

BlueKnickers @ 8/18/2026 9:30 AM
Nalod wrote:
BlueKnickers wrote:
martin wrote:Knicks are back to back Championship hunting. I don't have a whiff of what Leon is thinking but I'm confident enough that they will not target the likes of Sims.

Leon is shopping for a NY Deli roast beef on rye. Sims is a hot pocket.

Sims had his best season for the tanking Bucks playing 19min a game. with career highs for rebs' and Pts. 5.5 rebs and 5 pts.
Hot pocket or Crustable, he would be 3rd string. This is what 2.5mil buys these days. One might have to make an assumption that with more minutes he gained experience and poise? His contract also runs out this year.

Logic dictates given extensions to others and with just 13 roster spots taken with many questions to be answers such as Deuce and Nickel there is a trade to be made. What that is remains to be rumored.

August is kind of a vacation month for Front offices to some extent. Im only guessing Leon is not neglecting the need and has irons in the fire to not leave Knicks with two centers. Drummond might not be washed up but at age 33 played a solid 19 min avg himself and had nice numbers over 63 games. KAT won't play 82 games and yes we need another player who can in a pinch play.

martin @ 8/18/2026 9:36 AM
BlueKnickers wrote:
Nalod wrote:
BlueKnickers wrote:
martin wrote:Knicks are back to back Championship hunting. I don't have a whiff of what Leon is thinking but I'm confident enough that they will not target the likes of Sims.

Leon is shopping for a NY Deli roast beef on rye. Sims is a hot pocket.

Sims had his best season for the tanking Bucks playing 19min a game. with career highs for rebs' and Pts. 5.5 rebs and 5 pts.
Hot pocket or Crustable, he would be 3rd string. This is what 2.5mil buys these days. One might have to make an assumption that with more minutes he gained experience and poise? His contract also runs out this year.

Logic dictates given extensions to others and with just 13 roster spots taken with many questions to be answers such as Deuce and Nickel there is a trade to be made. What that is remains to be rumored.

August is kind of a vacation month for Front offices to some extent. Im only guessing Leon is not neglecting the need and has irons in the fire to not leave Knicks with two centers. Drummond might not be washed up but at age 33 played a solid 19 min avg himself and had nice numbers over 63 games. KAT won't play 82 games and yes we need another player who can in a pinch play.

Yo hot pockets can be the bomb at 3am after a night of drinking, let us not diminish the hot pocket delight factor

Page 5 of 6
Back to Knicks Forum
2026 © UltimateKnicks.com