Summer time League basketball is again — and the Knicks are heading to the desert.
Recent off an Japanese Convention Finals run, New York doesn’t have its season driving on Summer time League outcomes. However these are nonetheless the Knicks, and whether or not it’s July or June, they’ll be repping orange and blue with pleasure beneath the brilliant lights of Las Vegas.
Right here’s every little thing you want to know forward of tip-off: the total Summer time League roster, schedule, the way to watch, and the important thing storylines to trace because the Knicks hit the hardwood within the warmth.
KNICKS 2025-26 SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER
The Knicks formally introduced their Summer time League roster on Tuesday. There are a variety of acquainted faces plus a gaggle of NBA hopefuls seeking to make their mark.
F Pacome Dadiet*
F Kevin McCullar Jr.*
G Tyler Kolek*
F Marjon Beauchamp*
G Yudai Baba
F Anton Watson*
G Jamal Bey
G Biwali Bayles
G Dink Pate
G Jaden Campbell
G Devonte Grant
G/F Nick Jourdain
F Luka Scuka
C Lance Ware
C James Nnaji**
F Mohamad Diawara**
C Ariel Hukporti*
Head Coach: Jordan Brink
*denotes a participant getting back from final season’s roster**denotes both a Knicks draft decide or asset making their debut
KNICKS SUMMER LEAGUE SCHEDULE
The Knicks have 4 Las Vegas Summer time League video games on the docket:
Fri, July 11: Knicks @ Pistons (6 p.m. EST | ESPN+/NBATV)
Solar, July 13: Knicks @ Celtics (5:30 p.m. EST | ESPN+/NBATV)
Tue, July 15: Nets @ Knicks (6 p.m. EST | ESPN2/NBATV)
Thu, July 17: Pacers @ Knicks (4:30 p.m. EST | ESPN2)
EXTENDED RUN FOR THE SOPHOMORES
The Knicks have 4 notable gamers from final yr’s roster suiting up in Las Vegas for Summer time League motion. Every younger participant must show why this ought to be their last journey to Vegas — and make a compelling case for a spot on the finish of latest head coach Mike Brown’s rotation:
At 6-8 with a clean capturing stroke and simply 19 years previous, Dadiet oozes potential. However each draft class has prospects who by no means develop. What did he study in a rookie yr spent largely in Westchester whereas the Knicks made their deepest playoff run in many years? Was former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau proper to bury him, or was the answer to New York’s wing depth hiding in plain sight?
Drafted twenty fifth total in 2024 as a long-term mission, Dadiet now turns into much more vital after the Knicks emptied their asset chest for Mikal Bridges. If Brown’s workers can mould him into a real 3-and-D contributor, they’ll unlock a helpful piece for the long run.
What defensive classes did Kolek soak up in 12 months 1? Offensively, the thirty fourth decide seemed like a seasoned ground normal, however his defensive shortcomings saved him off the ground. Can he now present he can maintain his personal guarding NBA athletes?
Coaches will tolerate defensive flaws from stars. For non-rotation gamers, endurance runs skinny. This Summer time League is Kolek’s probability to show he belongs.
McCullar enters Summer time League as a restricted free agent combating for a roster spot. The Knicks have room for yet another minimal deal, however the 6-6 Kansas wing has to earn it.
He confirmed flashes in final season’s finale: 4 factors, eight rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal in 22 minutes. At Kansas, he averaged 18.3 factors, six rebounds, and 4 assists earlier than knee surgical procedure reduce his season quick. If he can translate that manufacturing, there could possibly be a job — in New York or elsewhere.
How’s Massive Huk transferring laterally? The Knicks’ last decide in 2024 was carving out a backup heart function earlier than a torn meniscus ended his rookie yr simply as he cracked the rotation.
With Mitchell Robinson, Karl-Anthony Cities, and Guerschon Yabusele forward of him, Hukporti isn’t more likely to play main minutes. However accidents occur. If referred to as upon, the Knicks want him prepared because the feral shot-blocker they glimpsed final season.
Summer time League is his stage to show he nonetheless is.
AN ANGRY MARJON BEAUCHAMP
MarJon Beauchamp was the twenty fourth decide within the 2022 NBA Draft. 4 Summer time Leagues later, he’s nonetheless in Vegas — a troubling signal for a participant as soon as projected as a dependable 3-and-D wing subsequent to Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
Final season alone, Beauchamp performed for the Bucks, Clippers, and Knicks however couldn’t crack the rotation anyplace. That ought to gentle a hearth beneath him in Vegas. His NBA profession has develop into a revolving door of Summer time League probabilities, and finally, the music stops.
If he can’t present actual development — higher defensive reads, dependable catch-and-shoot threes, constant effort — his subsequent alternative won’t be in an NBA jersey. It could possibly be the G-League. Or a ticket abroad.
A BILLION DINK PATE WINDMILLS
Meet Dink Pate, probably the most electrifying Knick headed to Vegas. At 6-8 and 210 kilos, he has perfect NBA dimension — and he’s a strolling windmill dunk ready to occur. Anticipate him to throw one down inside his first 90 seconds on the court docket.
Pate is coming into his third professional season after stops with G-League Ignite and in Mexico Metropolis. His capturing stays a priority (profession 24% from three), however these dunks? He can do them in his sleep. Within the NBA, there’s at all times room for an athlete who can play above the rim and energize a group with a single thunderous jam.
IS LUKA SCUKA MORE THAN A FUN NAME?
At 6-10 with a dependable three-point shot and rim safety instincts, Luka Scuka seems to be like a possible hidden gem. The Slovenian ahead went undrafted in 2024, however his sport — and identify — are drawing early consideration.
The true query is his protection. The NBA is a special beast, and dimension alone received’t reduce it. Does Scuka have the quickness and toughness to protect elite athletes?
His profile suggests promise. Now he has to show it interprets on basketball’s greatest stage.
JAMES NNAJI RIP A RIM OFF ITS HINGES
The Knicks landed James Nnaji, the thirty first decide within the 2023 Draft, by way of the Cities commerce. At 6-11 and 246 kilos with a freakish vertical leap, Nnaji is constructed to tear rims off their hinges.
After a yr in Turkey and Spain, the explosive heart joins Summer time League seeking to safe a roster spot — both on a minimal deal or a two-way. His mission is straightforward: show he’s greater than only a highly effective athlete and present he can anchor an NBA paint.
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
The Knicks took Mohamad Diawara with the 51st decide within the 2025 NBA Draft. Diawara is understood to be good buddies with Dadiet as the 2 have been teammates throughout their earlier enjoying years in France. The 2 are additionally shut with new Knicks addition Yabusele and can absolutely share the ground for stretches collectively in Las Vegas.
BIWALI BAYLES COAST-TO-COAST
If Biwali Bayles will get a defensive rebound, he’s going to do his finest Josh Hart impression: balls to the wall, full velocity forward, attacking with the only intention of attending to the rim. Bayles is a enjoyable participant to observe, and whereas he seemingly isn’t a candidate for any NBA roster spots, he’ll benefit from his alternative in Vegas.
