Tyler Kolek has taken Gotham by storm, and a new report claims his major developments in recent weeks may have changed the New York Knicks‘ trade plans this season.
This summer was far quieter for the Knicks than it was in 2024. Last year, they made not one, but two blockbuster trades. First, they landed Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart’s Villanova pal Mikal Bridges. Then, just weeks before the season started, they acquired Minnesota Timberwolves great Karl-Anthony Towns. However, this year it was far different.
Instead, they sought out meaningful additions for the bench to round out the roster. With a specific focus on a backup point guard. It’s why they signed Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon. But the latter walked away from the game right before the season started. Leaving open a need on the bench.
However, Deuce McBride — before his recent injury — and Tyler Kolek have stepped up in a major way over the first couple of months of the season. Kolek specifically has been a revelation over the NY Knicks’ last six games. Scoring 14 or more points four times, and a 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists performance this week in a loss to the Timberwolves when he got to start for the first time.
NY Knicks Trade Strategy Change
The 2024 second-rounder’s growth in year two in the league has changed the narrative about him and his potential long-term for the Knicks. It also has seemingly altered the team’s trade plans before the February trade deadline, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
“Kolek’s strong recent play could lead the Knicks to look at addressing their frontcourt depth instead,” Fischer writes. “Especially since summer signee Guerschon Yabusele has fallen out of Mike Brown’s rotation.
“Yet it remains to be seen how the Knicks decide to play it. As impressive as Kolek has been, not having a playoff-tested veteran behind star guard Jalen Brunson is a potential vulnerability for a team with championship aspirations,” he added.
Whether they still target a veteran point guard or not, Kolek’s strong play has not given the NY Knicks more options to improve the roster in the best way possible, instead of trying to fill obvious weaknesses.
