The New York Knicks desperately needed a secondary ballhandler behind Jalen Brunson for the upcoming season. After testing Miles McBride as a backup point guard last year, it became clear they needed someone with more vision and playmaking ability. This led the front office to sign veteran guard Cameron Payne to a one-year, $3 million deal.

Cameron Payne brings experience and playoff success

Payne is a veteran with a wealth of playoff experience, making him a valuable addition to the Knicks during the regular season. His ability to lead the second unit and take the pressure off Brunson will be crucial. However, the Knicks also have high hopes for second-round rookie Tyler Kolek out of Marquette, who has already shown signs of legitimate upside.

Tyler Kolek’s strong preseason performance

Kolek impressed during summer league a few months ago and has carried that momentum into the preseason. In the Knicks’ first preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 6, Kolek contributed 11 points, one assist, one rebound, two steals and a block in just 14 minutes of play, with a +9 plus/minus.

In the second preseason game, Kolek played 17 minutes, scored 15 points, dished out five assists and recorded two steals, finishing with a +2 plus/minus. It’s impressive for a second-round rookie to make such an immediate impact, and even the Knicks’ star point guard Jalen Brunson has taken notice.

Jalen Brunson sees potential in Kolek

“Besides the fact that he went to Marquette, I really like Tyler,” Jalen Brunson said, via the New York Post. ‘That’s my husband. I’m not surprised by the way he’s playing. I’ve just been watching him since he’s been here, working on his game every day while he’s in the gym. If you work hard at it, the results will become visible.”

Brunson’s support speaks volumes about Kolek’s work ethic and potential. It’s clear that the young guard has made a strong impression on the Knicks’ coaching staff and his teammates.

Adjusting to NBA speed and physicality

Kolek is still finding his rhythm at the NBA level and adapting to the increased speed and physicality of the professional game. Despite this, he remains convinced that the fundamentals of basketball remain the same and is focused on improving his performance to meet the demands of the competition.

“I’m still working on it, finding my pace,” Kolek said. “Maybe in practice I haven’t been as aggressive looking at the basket. So it’s been kind of intentional in these matches to get those looks because then everything else opens up with my passing.

Potential role in the Knicks’ rotation

As Kolek continues to adapt and improve, there’s a good chance he could force his way into the Knicks’ rotation at some point during the season. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has expressed satisfaction with Kolek’s early performance, which could bode well for the rookie’s chances for more minutes.

Kolek’s development will be an exciting storyline to watch, especially if he can continue to impress and get valuable minutes from the bench behind Brunson. His strong preseason performance suggests he could be a key contributor for the Knicks as the season progresses.