Knicks set to announce 2024 Vegas Summer League roster

The New York Knicks will make their Summer League debut in Las Vegas on July 13 facing the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise announced on June 28.

According to Steve Popper of Newsday, the Knicks will announce their final Summer League roster on Sunday, July 7. In turn, we will know the group of Knickerbockers who will arrive in Vegas next week and hoop for New York at the mid-summer tourney that tips off on July 12.

“The Knicks are expected to announce their roster for the Las Vegas Summer League on Sunday, but it certainly will include draft picks Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, Kevin McCuller Jr. and Ariel Hukporti,” Popper reported on July 6.

The Knicks didn’t draft a warm body in 2023 but they grabbed four rookies in the most recent NBA draft at the end of June, making for an exciting return to the Summer League after a bland cameo a year ago.

The foursome of Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti, and Kevin McCullar Jr. will make their respective debuts in Las Vegas donning the Orange & Blue threads with the first two already inked to deals and expected to make the regular-season roster of the 2024-25 Knickerbockers.

Dadiet is the Knicks’ 25th overall pick and lone first-rounder featuring for New York while fellow signee Kolek was drafted with the 34th overall pick already in the second round costing the Knicks three second-round picks in a trade with Portland. After that, New York landed a couple of upside men in McCullar with the No. 56 pick and Hukporti at the No. 58 position.

New York announced the signing of Creighton’s Alex O’Connell to an Exhibit 10 deal a few days ago, which makes him available to play in the Las Vegas tourney. He will join South Africa native Samkelo Cele, who has spent the last two seasons playing in the Basketball Africa League.

The Knicks also signed Justin Lewis to be part of the Summer Squad on July 6. He will reunite with Marquette’s Kolek as part of the New York mob flying to Vegas.

Finally, it’s been reported that Lithuania international Rokas Jokubaitis will consider joining the Knicks at the Summer League depending on his nation’s qualification for the Olympics. Lithuania defeated Italy clinching a place in the Puerto Rico tournament final where they’ll face the host nation for an Olympics berth on Sunday.

Only if Lithuania loses their game against Puerto Rico, Rokas would—maybe—play Summer League hoops with New York. It won’t be long before we have a definitive answer with tip-off scheduled at 6 p.m. ET.

Projected New York Knicks 2024 Summer League Roster

Guards: Tyler Kolek, Alex O’Connell, Samkelo Cele, Duane Washington, DaQuan Jeffries, Rokas Jakubaitis

Wings: Pacome Dadiet, Kevin McCullar Jr., Justin Lewis, Jacob Toppin

Bigs: Ariel Hukporti

New York Knicks 2024 Summer League Schedule

Game 1: Knicks vs. Hornets – Sat, July 13 at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Game 2: Knicks at Nets – Tue, July 16 at 4:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV)

Game 3: Knicks vs. Kings – Wed, July 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV)

Game 4: Knicks at Pistons – Fri, July 19 at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Game 5: Knicks vs. TBD – July 21/22, depending on the tournament results