The New York Knicks’ two second-round draft picks are on wildly different paths, and neither one of ’em is signing a standard NBA contract with the team right away.
Kayil Stays Overseas, But The NBA Dream Is Still Alive
First up, you got Jack Kayil. This dude just announced Friday he’s spending the 2026-27 season playing for Alba Berlin in Europe instead of heading to New York. Kayil even said, “I’m staying” with Alba Berlin on a new 5-year deal, but don’t worry, he’s still got his eyes on the NBA. “The NBA remains my big dream , and Alba is just the right place for me to continue on this path,” Kayil shared. Ian Begley from SNY reported everyone kinda saw this coming, especially with the Knicks already bumping up against those brutal second-apron salary constraints. That makes it tough to sign a 20-year-old guard, right? So, Kayil gets valuable development minutes with a bigger role overseas, and the Knicks still keep his NBA rights. Smart move for both sides, if you ask me.
Nickel Set To Go Pro, But The Knicks Need A Center
Then there’s Tyler Nickel. This guy’s still unsigned, and for a minute there, we heard whispers he might actually head back to college with those new NCAA eligibility rules. But nope, Begley’s sources are saying the league expects Nickel to jump straight into his professional career. And guess what? The Knicks’ second-apron issues are hitting here too. Signing Nickel to a regular NBA deal could seriously mess with their hunt for a veteran third center, which they clearly need. So, a two-way deal for Nickel looks like the most logical play. Begley even dropped this gem: “In recent weeks, the Knicks have also been in touch with several free agent centers who could fill the third center role. Logic tells you that if they wanted to sign one of these centers on a guaranteed one-year deal, the Knicks would have done so already.” Sounds like they’re playing hardball, or just don’t have the space!
So, with Kayil staying overseas, the Knicks are sitting at 13 players on standard contracts and still have all three two-way spots wide open. Training camp is right around the corner. They gotta figure out that third center and Nickel’s spot fast. Go Knicks.
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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