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Knicks Earn Grade for Second-Round Pick

The New York Knicks are being praised for their trade up to get Marquette point guard Tyler Kolek in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Jeremy Brener

Colorado Buffaloes guard KJ Simpson (2) defends Marquette Golden Eagles guard Tyler Kolek (11) during NCAA Tournament game, Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Colorado Buffaloes guard KJ Simpson (2) defends Marquette Golden Eagles guard Tyler Kolek (11) during NCAA Tournament game, Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier/USA
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The New York Knicks are adding Tyler Kolek to their backcourt after taking him with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Knicks traded multiple second-round picks to take Kolek, and he could be a strong backup point guard for the team, possibly as early as this upcoming season.

Bleacher Report writer Zach Buckley is grading every pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he's giving the Knicks a "B+" for taking Kolek with the No. 34 overall selection.

"Kolek looks like a plug-and-play backup point guard. There are some concerns about whether he'll grow into anything more than that, but at the 34th pick, it might be more beneficial to fill a role than to chase long-shot upside," Buckley writes.

Kolek, who some experts had mocked in the first round, falling into the second round of the draft is going to add a chip on his shoulder, and that should fit right into the Knicks culture. He'll get to learn from Jalen Brunson, who was also taken in the second round, and he'll give that high-intensity effort that the Knicks are using as a pillar to build the team's identity.

However, his small stature and defensive lapses are why this pick isn't earning a higher grade.

"Kolek is a great-feel floor general who can weaponize all of the players around him and spin the scoreboard by himself as both a long-range shooter and a crafty close-range finisher," Buckley writes. He'll be targeted early and often on defense, but he can do enough offensively to win his minutes."

Kolek will deal with some growing pains, and he's playing for a coach that notoriously doesn't like to play rookies very many minutes, but if he can find a way to make an impact, this pick will end up being a steal for the Knicks down the line.

Kolek will be a key contributor for the Knicks when the Las Vegas Summer League takes place. He will likely be a starter for the team as he gets some reps working alongside first-round pick Pacome Dadiet in the backcourt.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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