Knicks’ best option for backup point guard could be on summer league roster

The obvious hole in the Knicks’ rotation, as dissected ad nauseam since Isaiah Hartenstein bolted to Oklahoma City, is backup center.

That remains in question — along with Precious Achiuwa’s ongoing free agency.

But there’s another small crevice in Leon Rose’s construction:

Backup point guard.

Assuming Jalen Brunson’s health, it’s a minor role.

And theoretically, the Knicks should have it covered with Miles McBride and Donte DiVincenzo.

But the Knicks could use another ball handler/facilitator, if only for insurance.

McBride, as scouts noted from the outset, is more of a two-guard in a point guard’s body.

He’s “a safe passer, not any kind of playmaker,” as one longtime talent evaluator put it.

DiVincenzo is also more comfortable off the ball.

The lack of a Brunson backup became an issue in the playoffs, when playmaking was such a weakness the Knicks turned to extended Alec Burks minutes for hope.

Burks is gone, signing with the Heat for a vet minimum $3.3 million.

Perhaps the return of Julius Randle, a point forward at times, or the addition of Mikal Bridges, a capable creator off the dribble, will cover up whatever problems the Knicks have when Brunson is on the bench.

Still, that potential area of need is a storyline for summer league given two of the main characters on the Knicks squad — Tyler Kolek and Rokas Jokubaitis.

Both played in Saturday’s 94-90 loss to the Hornets in the Knicks’ Las Vegas Summer League debut, and the results were a mixed bag with promising moments, in particular, for Kolek.

The 34th pick in last month’s draft, who signed a four-year contract worth over $9 million, started over Jokubaitis and led the Knicks in assists Saturday with seven while grabbing seven boards.

He was a fine floor general, adept with running the offense while struggling with his shot (2-for-6).

At 23 years old, the point guard is considered more ready-made than most of his 2024 draft peers.

He might’ve been the team’s best player in the first half, then turned more passive as the Knicks leaned on Duane Washington Jr. (26 points) for offense.

Jokubaitis, meanwhile, played only 14 minutes off the bench and finished with eight points on 3-for-6 shooting.

The 23-year-old Lithuanian is at something of a career crossroads while rejoining the summer league squad after a two-year hiatus.

Jokubaitis was drafted 34th in 2021 by the Knicks and stashed overseas, enjoying success — and a Euroleague Rising Star Award — with Barcelona.

But Barcelona’s backcourt grew crowded, and Jokubaitis is “expected” to leave the Spanish team next season for Zalgiris Kaunas, a Lithuanian squad, according to a report Friday from BasketNews.

Summer league represents Jokubaitis’ opportunity to impress upon the Knicks coaching staff that it should keep him.

He didn’t get much of a chance Saturday in Vegas.

Kolek took up the majority of minutes.

In free agency, the options are dwindling.

Kyle Lowry, for instance, just re-upped with the rival Sixers.

The free agents remaining who would fit the definition of a backup point guard include Dennis Smith Jr., Patrick Beverley, Devonte’ Graham and Cam Payne.

Perhaps the better option is on the summer league roster.

They showed a little bit Saturday.

Pacome Dadiet, the Knicks’ first-round pick last month, looked overwhelmed and missed six of his seven shots in 26 minutes. At just 18 years old, he shot a pair of airballs in the first half and lived up to his billing as a long-term project.

One draft pick who wasn’t available Saturday was Kevin McCullar Jr., who didn’t travel to Las Vegas as he recovers from a knee injury sustained during the college season at Kansas.

McCullar, the 56th pick last month, suffered a “bone bruise,” according to reports at the time, but he missed the entire NCAA Tournament and hasn’t played in over four months.