Knicks Don’t Need to Hunt for a Backup Point Guard Anymore
The New York Knicks can stop searching for a dependable backup point guard. They already have one on the roster.
His name is Tyler Kolek.
Yes, his Christmas Day performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers matters. Sixteen points, nine assists, and four made threes in a dramatic comeback win deserve attention. But this case does not hinge on one night. Kolek has been building toward this moment for months.
Since reentering the rotation before Thanksgiving, the sophomore guard has steadily removed any doubt about whether his production is sustainable.
The Numbers Are No Longer a Fluke
Over the 16 games since returning to regular rotation minutes, Kolek is averaging more than 15 points and eight assists per 36 minutes. He is shooting 37.8 percent from three, converting over 57 percent of his two-point attempts, and New York has outscored opponents by 57 points during his on-court stretches.
This is not empty efficiency propped up by limited minutes.
Over the Knicks’ last five games, Kolek is playing nearly 24 minutes per night, posting 11.4 points and 6.6 assists. Those numbers closely mirror his per-36 production, which only reinforces the idea that his impact scales with responsibility.
Kolek Is Answering Every Big Question
It is natural to hesitate when a contender leans on a 24-year-old guard with limited NBA experience. That concern is fading fast.
Can Kolek run the offense when Jalen Brunson sits? Against Cleveland, New York posted an offensive rating of 155 during Kolek-only minutes. That is an outlier, but the trend is encouraging. When Kolek plays without Brunson but alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks own an offensive rating around 119, a mark that would rank among the league’s best offenses.
Can he share the floor with Brunson? The answer is yes. While the Brunson-Kolek-Jordan Clarkson trio has struggled, Brunson and Kolek together have posted a positive net rating near plus eight without Clarkson.
Can Kolek shoot enough to keep defenses honest? That answer is still developing, but the signs are promising. He has attempted 19 threes over the past five games, making 42.1 percent of them. The confidence is rising, and the volume is approaching a level defenses must respect.
What This Means for the Trade Deadline
Kolek is not a finished product. There will be turnovers. There will be defensive mistakes. That comes with development.
The difference now is that the Knicks can live with those moments because Kolek contributes to winning. He is already doing it in meaningful minutes and late-game situations.
That reality should reshape New York’s approach to the trade deadline. The front office no longer needs to chase backup point guards. That box is checked.
Now the focus can shift elsewhere. Another wing. Frontcourt insurance behind Mitchell Robinson. Or simply holding steady.
Either way, one thing is clear. The Knicks’ search for a reliable backup point guard is over. Tyler Kolek ended it.
