In his latest Stein Line newsletter, Marc Stein reported that the Knicks “did not shop reserve guard Tyler Kolek to try to make roster room for Bruce Brown.”
According to Stein, only a trade for a center would have pried Kolek from New York’s bench.
Prior to the recent release of the veteran Brown on October 17, there were reports that the team was shopping both Pacome Dadiet and Kolek. Of the two, we assumed there would be more interest in Kolek, who is the more polished player. The third-year, third-string
point guard might be a little old for a development project (he’ll turn 26 in March), but he logged one triple-double last season and was key in a 114–113 win over Indiana, posting 16 points and 11 assists.
Dadiet and Kolek appear set to be in uniform for opening night—as will James Wiseman, who beat out Brown and a few others for the 14th roster spot. To stay below the second apron, the Knicks are carrying only 14 players into the season. Signing Wiseman allowed the them to add another center without sacrificing Kolek.
Coach Mike Brown is reported to be a fan of Wiseman and was an assistant coach on the Warriors when they drafted the 6’11” center in 2020. Stein quoted Brown as saying, “[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.”
Coincidentally, Wiseman will also turn 26 in March, four days after Kolek.
Go Knicks.
