TO UPDATE: The trade is official.
.@nyknicks Transactions on the day of the second round draft pic.twitter.com/NGKUZIJJoa
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) June 28, 2024
Tyler Kolek has had a successful season in which he was one of the best guards in the country.
The former Marquette star finished the year averaging 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range in 31 games.
He was seen by many as a potential first-round pick, but was still available when the second round began on Thursday.
The Portland Trail Blazers had the 34th pick and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the New York Knicks received the selection for Kolek.
On Wojnarowski: “According to source, the Knicks are sending the Blazers future second-round picks for Tyler Kolek at No. 34.”
According to a source, the Knicks are sending future second-round picks to the Blazers for Tyler Kolek at No. 34.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 27 June 2024
Ian Begley from SNY Further details reported.
On Begley: “NYK takes Tyler Kolek at No. 34 and receives pick in exchange for draft compensation, source confirms. Some teams had expected Kolek to be gone at No. 34. At 23, Kolek is one of the oldest players in the draft. Knicks strengthen the guard position.”
Correction, sorry for the error: NYK is taking Tyler Kolek at No. 34 and will receive the pick in exchange for draft compensation, a source confirms. Some teams had expected Kolek to be gone at No. 34. At 23, Kolek is one of the oldest players in the draft. The Knicks are strengthening the guard position.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) 27 June 2024
The Knicks will continue to rely on an instant win strategy in the 2024-25 season.
Earlier this week, Wojnarowski reported that the team resigned OG Anunoby and traded for Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges,
The Knicks finished last season as the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 50-32.
They lost in the second round of the NBA playoffs (in seven games) to the Indiana Pacers.
Tyler Kolek is the best pick-and-roll point guard in college basketball, an outstanding ball handler who plays with phenomenal speed and has excellent timing, creativity and a knack for reading defenses and hitting passes all over the court. pic.twitter.com/Z28gcf9wFU
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) 28 November 2023
To be fair, the Knicks have struggled with a lot of injuries, so a healthy roster would likely make them a contender.
