The New York Knicks’ Summer League Performance
The New York Knicks have wrapped up their participation in the 2025 Summer League, finishing with a disappointing record of 1-4 after a 94-85 defeat to the Washington Wizards. Several insights emerged from their time in Las Vegas, highlighting the performances of both new and returning players.
Player Highlights
Firstly, Tyler Kolek, who entered his second Summer League, had a particularly challenging experience. Demonstrating a notable struggle with his shooting, the young guard managed just a 17.1 percent conversion rate from beyond the arc and only slightly outpaced his turnovers with a total of five assists across five games. Despite these setbacks, he did exhibit resilience, rebounding with a strong first-half performance in a previous game against the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 23 points. However, it is clear that Kolek needs to refine his skills on both offense and defense if he hopes to secure a role as the backup point guard for the season ahead.
In terms of the progress of second-year players, Pacome Dadiet, Kevin McCullar Jr., and Ariel Hukporti were hampered by injuries throughout the tournament. Dadiet, who sat out three games due to a left foot issue, showed promise in his two appearances with his scoring capabilities, although his shooting from three-point range was less than stellar at 25 percent. Without an improvement in his outside shooting, consistent playing time may remain elusive for him.
On the other hand, Hukporti managed to play in three games but was mostly kept quiet, standing out only with a noteworthy nine-point, 13-rebound showing against the Boston Celtics. His average for the tournament was 6.3 points and 7.7 rebounds. Unfortunately, he ended his stint with a knee sprain. McCullar, who showcased his skills as a slasher and ballhandler, had a standout game with a 30-point performance against the Celtics, yet struggled with outside shooting as well, hitting just 20 percent of his threes.
Rookie Performances
A bright spot during the Summer League was rookie Mohamed Diawara. Although his statistics—averaging seven points and 5.3 rebounds over four games—might not seem impressive, his influence on both ends of the court caught attention. At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Diawara proved to be a versatile defender. More unexpectedly, his offensive game displayed a sophistication that belied his statistical output, as he effectively initiated plays and demonstrated adept ball-handling after grabbing rebounds. However, like many of his peers, his shooting precision leaves room for improvement, evidenced by a mere 15.4 percent success rate from beyond the arc.
Roster Challenges Ahead
The Knicks face an ongoing roster challenge as they sort through potential Summer League candidates for future spots. Alongside Diawara, McCullar, Anton Watson, and MarJon Beauchamp currently occupy two-way contract slots. Noteworthy performances were seen from Watson, who led the game against Washington with 21 points, and Beauchamp, who topped scoring charts in multiple games. Dink Pate also made his mark with averages of 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds, culminating in a strong performance of 20 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks against the Wizards. As the Knicks have room for one additional veteran-minimum contract and rookie agreement, it remains to be seen which of these promising players will earn a place on the team come opening night.
