Knicks Prospect Proving Worthy of Roster Spot

If you’re reading this story, chances are you didn’t miss a shot yesterday in the New York Knicks’ 106-105 comeback victory against the Sacramento Kings at the Las Vegas Summer League. But you also probably didn’t miss a shot because you didn’t take one.

The same cannot be said for Rokas Jokubaitis, a 2021 second-round pick for the Knicks, who also didn’t miss a shot in the Knicks win, but he attempted seven field goals.

Jokubaitis, 23, went a perfect 7 of 7 in 21 minutes off the bench for the Knicks in their win against the Kings, playing a key role for the team throughout the game. Jokubaitis proved that he can be an NBA prospect.

“With years of maturity, experience I have from Europe, I think I’m ready,” Jokubaitis said via New York Post reporter Stefan Bondy. “And I would like to come here.”

Just because Jokubaitis wants to come to the Knicks next year doesn’t necessarily mean that he will. The Lithuanian guard has a year left on his contract with FC Barcelona, but there is potential for him to go elsewhere next season, including his home country.

However, Jokubaitis has yet to rule out the Big Apple as his next basketball home, which is part of the reason why he came to Las Vegas to play with the Knicks in Summer League. Jokubaitis eventually wants to come stateside, but he may have picked the wrong year to do so with rookie Tyler Kolek also joining the team.

The Knicks also added veteran point guard Cam Payne in recent days, making Jokubaitis an unlikely fit for the roster for the upcoming season. This could mean Jokubaitis might have to wait one more year before officially becoming an NBA player, but he has proven that he can play the part and do it well with his performance during Summer League so far.

Jokubaitis and the rest of the Summer Knicks are set to play their fourth game in Las Vegas on Friday when they take on No. 5 overall pick Ron Holland II and the Detroit Pistons. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

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