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Tyler Nickel is giving the Knicks something to think about after Summer League. The 47th pick scored 18 points with four rebounds against Brooklyn, then followed it with 16 points and four made threes against San Antonio.
Those numbers do not hand a rookie a rotation spot. They do keep him from being treated like a name on a draft list. Nickel has shown the one skill every roster eventually needs: he can make shots without needing the offense built around him.
The Knicks have a title roster and very little room for patience in the wrong places. Nickel is making that choice more annoying, which is a good thing for him.
Knicks need to see more than shooting
The shot is the hook, but the rest decides whether Nickel can stay on the floor. He has to defend without losing track of actions, rebound well enough at his position, and make the quick pass when the closeout comes.
Tyler Nickel is listed at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, which gives the Knicks a useful frame on the wing. The question is whether the size becomes functional defense or just a nice number on the roster sheet.
Nickel can make the choice uncomfortable
This is where the second apron changes the discussion. New York cannot keep every young player, veteran, and draft pick in a comfortable development lane. Someone will have to win a job, accept a two-way path, or spend more time outside the NBA rotation.
Nickel does not have to beat every veteran in July. He needs to show that his shooting travels, that he can survive defensively, and that he will not disappear when the game speeds up.
I would keep watching him for that reason. A few made threes are easy to notice. The Knicks need to know what happens after the defense runs him off the line.
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