Okay, so get this: Marc Stein just dropped the news that the Knicks were absolutely *not* shopping reserve guard Tyler Kolek to make room for Bruce Brown. Nope. Stein’s report makes it clear that the only way Kolek was getting pried from New York’s bench was if a trade for a center came through. This is big, especially after all those rumors flying around that both Pacome Dadiet and Kolek were on the trade block before veteran Brown got released on October 17.
The Real Deal on Kolek’s Value
Honestly, we all probably figured there’d be way more interest in Kolek over Dadiet anyway. The dude is just a more polished player. Yeah, he’s a third-year, third-string point guard and will hit 26 in March, which might feel a little old for a “development project.” But don’t sleep on what he can do: last season, he logged a triple-double! Plus, he was absolutely clutch in that 114,113 win over Indiana, dropping 16 points and dishing out 11 assists. That’s not just noise; that’s real production from a bench guy. Keeping Kolek means the Knicks are holding onto someone who can actually contribute in high-pressure moments, not just a future prospect.
Wiseman Lands, Brown Walks, Kolek Stays
So, how did this all shake out? It turns out James Wiseman beat out Brown and a few other guys for the 14th roster spot. That’s a key piece of the puzzle right there. To stay below the second apron, the Knicks are rolling into the season with only 14 players. Signing Wiseman was a smart play because it let them add another center without having to sacrifice Kolek. Coach Mike Brown is reportedly a big fan of Wiseman, which isn’t surprising since he was an assistant coach with the Warriors when they drafted the 6’11” center back in 2020. Coach Brown even said, “[Karl-Anthony Towns is] not athletic like that and Andre [Drummond] was once that, he still has some of it… [Wiseman’s] vertical threat at the rim, the vertical threat defensively, how good he runs, you welcome that at his size and age and athleticism.” Fun fact: Wiseman also turns 26 in March, just four days after Kolek.
With opening night right around the corner, Dadiet, Kolek, and Wiseman are all set to be in uniform. This move keeps a valuable, proven bench player in Kolek, while also adding some much-needed size and athleticism with Wiseman, all while navigating those tricky salary cap rules. It means the Knicks are serious about their depth and what they can get from their bench rotation from day one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
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