The Knicks lost their first Summer League game 91-65 to the Nets on Saturday. A 26-point loss to Brooklyn’s young guys. That’s not the kind of start you want. But in Summer League, the scoreboard is almost beside the point.
What matters is what you learn about the guys who might actually help this season. And what New York learned, at least in Game 1, is that Pacome Dadiet looks like he belongs.
Dadiet’s Summer League Debut: The Good, The Trade Asset
Dadiet, the team’s 2024 first-round pick, dropped 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, grabbed seven boards and added a steal. He moved without the ball, finished through contact and looked every bit like a first-rounder who spent a year learning from a championship team. The Knicks drafted him raw and stashed him. Now he looks like a real rotation piece.
The problem? The defending champs don’t really have rotation minutes to give. Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart — that wing rotation is crowded. And the Knicks need a center who can guard and rebound right now, not a project who might be able to do that in two years.
So Dadiet’s strong start might actually matter more for what it means in a trade package than for what it means on the court in New York. He’s making $2.98 million next season. That’s an affordable contract for a team that wants to take a flier on a young wing. And the Knicks need a veteran five. The math writes itself.
Tyler Nickel Loves His Own Comparison
Tyler Nickel also showed out. The rookie from Vanderbilt hit six of his 10 threes and finished with 18 points. His release is quick. His range is NBA-deep. And at 6-foot-7, he’s got the frame to guard multiple positions eventually, even if that part of his game needs work.
After the game, Nickel told reporters he sees himself as a mix of Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and Sam Hauser. When someone pointed out those are all white players, Nickel didn’t miss a beat.
“Listen, they got roles in the league, man.”
He’s not wrong. Robinson and Strus both got paid. Hauser is a key piece for a contender. Shooting like that always has a market. Nickel might be limited elsewhere, but the one thing he does well, he does at an elite level. That’s worth monitoring.
What This Means for the Knicks This Month
The Knicks still have two open roster spots and a clear need for a defensive big. Mitchell Robinson is great when he’s healthy, but health has been an issue. Isaiah Hartenstein is gone. Jericho Sims is still developing. If the front office wants to contend again next season, they need someone who can step in and protect the rim from Day 1.
Summer League is a week-long showcase. Plenty of guys have cooked in Vegas and never cooked in the NBA. But for Dadiet and Nickel, this was a strong first impression. The question is whether that impression leads to a role in New York or a ticket out of town.
One game doesn’t answer that. But it’s a start.
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