Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks
Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

Tyler Kolek Can Still Help The New York Knicks

October 4, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Tyler Kolek, the New York Knicks' second-round pick, was a revelation in the first 40 games of last season before being pushed out of the rotation by the team's championship run and the acquisition of Jose Alvarado. Host Gavin Shaw makes the case that Kolek's elite passing, combined with a developing scoring game and underrated defensive instincts, still makes him a valuable asset—either as a future rotation piece for the Knicks or as a trade chip to upgrade the roster elsewhere.

The Case for Kolek's Passing Genius

Shaw argues that Kolek possesses one of the most talented isolated passing skill sets in the NBA, comparing his "hit-ahead" vision to Lonzo Ball and Jason Kidd. The numbers back this up: among point guards last season, Kolek ranked in the 94th percentile in assist percentage. More impressively, when measuring his assists relative to his usage rate, he jumped to the 99th percentile. This means he creates high-level passing opportunities without needing the ball in his hands constantly.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (01:05) **Host Declares He Can't Quit Tyler Kolek** - Gavin Shaw opens the episode by stating his enduring belief in Tyler Kolek and promises to explain why the audience should feel the same.
  • 2 (02:07) **The Forgotten Highs of Last Season** - Shaw argues that Kolek's strong play in the first 40 games of the season is being overlooked after the championship run.
  • 3 (04:31) **Kolek's Elite Passing Talent** - Shaw makes a bold claim about Kolek's isolated passing ability, comparing it to some of the best in the league.
  • 4 (06:41) **The Craft of the Pick-and-Roll** - The host breaks down Kolek's technical skill in the half-court, emphasizing his manipulation of pace.
  • 5 (08:10) **The Scoring Threat Problem** - Shaw identifies the core limitation: Kolek's high turnover rate is tied to his lack of a consistent scoring threat.
  • 6 (10:08) **The Inefficient Scorer** - The host pivots to Kolek's scoring struggles, noting his poor efficiency and the specific areas he must improve.
  • 7 (14:48) **The Hope: A Three-Point Breakthrough** - Despite the scoring concerns, Shaw sees a real sign of progress in Kolek's three-point shooting.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Gavin Shaw

Show Notes

The New York Knicks’ guard Tyler Kolek flashes elite passing skills and underrated scoring potential—could he still crack the rotation or become valuable trade bait? Gavin Schall spotlights Kolek’s standout moments, including clutch performances against the Cavaliers and Spurs, and draws comparisons to Lonzo Ball and Jason Kidd in terms of vision and hit-ahead passing. With player development under Tom Thibodeau, Kolek’s strengths as a creator, floor-spacer, and timely defender come into focus.

Key discussions explore Kolek’s inconsistency as a scorer, his in-between game, and the competition he faces from teammates like Jose Alvarado, Deuce McBride, and Jordan Clarkson in a crowded Knicks backcourt. Gavin weighs the likelihood of Kolek earning meaningful minutes, his fit alongside Jalen Brunson, and trade scenarios that could shift the Knicks’ depth chart. Can Kolek refine his scoring and ball-handling to become more than a trade sweetener? Knicks fans won’t want to miss this deep dive into one of the roster’s most intriguing young talents.

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