Tyler Kolek has shifted Knicks trade deadline plan if rumors are true
Tyler Kolek’s emergence has quietly altered the New York Knicks’ trade deadline outlook, and it may end up being a major positive. Instead of burning assets to find another backup point guard, New York now appears free to address a more pressing need at center.
That shift would not be possible without Kolek proving he can already steady the second unit.
Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer recently noted that the Knicks have long been linked to point guards, dating back to the offseason. He then raised an important question. If Kolek’s play holds, should New York instead prioritize frontcourt depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, especially with Guerschon Yabusele failing to provide reliable production?
It is a fair question, and one the Knicks may already be answering internally.
Kolek Has Solved a Lingering Problem
The logic behind targeting another guard was simple. When Jalen Brunson sits, the offense can stall. Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, and Landry Shamet can all score, but none consistently organize the offense as primary facilitators.
That gap no longer exists.
Kolek did not force his way into the rotation. He waited, capitalized on injuries, and delivered when the stakes rose. His season averages of 5.2 points and 2.9 assists barely scratch the surface of his impact.
What matters is when the lights were brightest.
In the NBA Cup Final against the San Antonio Spurs, Kolek scored 14 points and added five assists in just 20 minutes, earning praise from Brunson afterward. He followed that with a 16-point, 11-assist performance against the Indiana Pacers. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he started and nearly posted a triple-double. On Christmas Day, he fueled a comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers with 16 points and nine assists.
Those performances answered a critical question. The Knicks do not need to spend assets to fix their backup playmaking issue.
The Focus Can Shift Elsewhere
That realization exposes another concern, but discovering it now is beneficial.
Towns has been excellent. Robinson remains impactful when available. His durability, however, is always a variable. Behind those two, the options thin quickly. Yabusele was signed to stabilize the frontcourt and has instead struggled to earn consistent minutes.
That is why Fischer’s comments resonate. If Kolek can keep the offense afloat when Brunson rests, New York can afford to redirect its resources. Adding another playable center, someone capable of soaking up minutes and surviving postseason matchups, may now be the more urgent priority.
The trade deadline picture has changed. And the Knicks have Tyler Kolek to thank for it.
