The New York Knicks may have a decision-forth coming on draft-and-stash prospect Rokas Jokubaitis, according to Steve Popper of the New York Post. Jokubaitis, the No. 34 pick of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2o21, is currently suiting up for the Knicks Las Vegas Summer League team.
This is the second time Jokubaitis is playing in the NBA Summer League for the Knicks, who acquired his rights along with Miles McBride for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl the day after the draft. The 23-year-old combo guard, who has lots of international experience and is a veteran of the Lithuanian national team, is shooting an incredible 70% from the field over the Knicks’ first three games in Vegas and is coming off his best performance as a member of the Knicks.
Jokubaitis scored 16 points on Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings as he made all seven of his shots from the field, including both his 3-point attempts. Jokubaitis also doled out five assists, recorded two steals, and committed one turnover in 21 minutes of action.
“He was aggressive on both sides of the floor,” Knicks coach Dice Yoshimoto said of Jokubaitus following the Kings game yesterday. “He got into the ball better [and] he’s understanding the defensive schemes better.”
New York Knicks Draft-and-Stash Prospect Impressing In Summer League, What Is Next For The Lithuanian National
Jokubaitis has been amazingly efficient through the first three games in Vegas, averaging 1.65 points per shot, making 12 of 17 shots from the field. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the 6-4 Lithuanian. He averages 9.3 points on 70.6% shooting from the field, nailing both of his 3-point shots in 16.6 minutes over three appearances.
Jokubaitis has struggled defensively and with his ball-handling. He also averages 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.7 turnovers a game.
New York is 1-2 during the summer league. The Knicks face the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. They then close out the summer against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
After leaving Las Vegas, the Knicks and Jokubaitis have decisions to make.
What’s Next For Jokubaitus?
According to Popper, Jokubaitis is a little in flux. Jokubaitus is under contract for one more season in Barcelona. But Popper, specifically San Antonio Spurs Juan Nunez, who the Indiana Pacers selected early in the second round.
Jokubaitis is in talks about joining the Lithuanian club Zalgris. However, a deal is not done, he said,
“The whole Europe is talking about it. But I still have a contract with Barcelona. It’s more of like added that rumors and reports suggest the team rumors and reports suggest the team will pivot elsewhere for a point guard, we’re in talks [with Zalgiris] but not very near to signing. Still, I have a contract with Barca, and in a few weeks we will see where I will go. But now I have a few games in Summer League and we’ll see.”
What about the Knicks offering him a contract?
New York has 13 players on standard contracts. The Knicks’ backcourt appears to be a little jammed, but Josh Hart is very versatile and may play in the frontcourt. Miles McBride played well enough last year to be the Knicks’ third guard.
Cam Payne has played well in spurts throughout his career but hasn’t been able to stick in one place. 2024 second-round pick Tyler Kolek is also probably ahead of Jokaibaitis at this point. Kolek is an excellent playmaker who doesn’t turn the ball over and is a better 3-point shooter.
However, the Knicks first-round pick, Pacome Diadet, is only 19 and has struggled during the summer league. Diadet projects to spend a lot of time with the Westchester Knicks despite being on a standard deal. Would Jokubaitis accept a two-way contract, even if he could make more money overseas?
“At this point, I don’t have any preference. I played my whole life in Europe but I always wanted to come back here to see myself how I would do here,” Jokubaitis said. “My options are free, so why not try it here also?”
There is another option for the Knicks, and that is for them to trade him.
Last Word On Jokubaitus
Jokubaitis is an experienced international player who is very large and able to score. He is also an excellent slasher and finisher at the rim and has various ways of doing so. He is a reliable 3-point shooter, though he is not a high-volume shooter from beyond the arc.
Jokubaitis is a crafty lefthanded ball-handler, but turnovers are an issue for him. His defense is also a question mark, especially against quicker players. Besides those two issues, there are also questions about whether he can consistently get his perimeter shot off in the NBA, as he doesn’t get much lift, and his shot is flat. He is more of a set shooter, so his shot is also slow.
Jokubaitis is still very young and possesses a high basketball IQ. While there are questions about whether he is an NBA player, there is no reason that an NBA team shouldn’t give him a chance as a fifth or sixth guard. While the Knicks likely will add another big, Precious Achiuwa is still an option, so they would still have an open spot. As stated above, he would be able to learn with the Knicks as the team’s fifth or sixth guard.
