Is Tyler Kolek Changing the Knicks’ Trade Deadline Game Plan?
Heading into the stretch before the February 5 trade deadline, the New York Knicks were expected to be in the market for a backup ball-handler-someone who could take the pressure off Jalen Brunson and keep the offense humming when the All-Star guard hits the bench. Jordan Clarkson was supposed to help fill that role, but lately, it’s been a different name making waves: Tyler Kolek.
And quietly, Kolek might be forcing the front office to rethink its priorities.
Making the Most of an Unexpected Opportunity
Kolek hasn’t exactly been a fixture in the Knicks’ rotation this season. But with Deuce McBride sidelined by an ankle injury and Clarkson struggling to find consistency, the 24-year-old rookie has stepped into a larger role-and he’s making it count.
Over his last 11 appearances, Kolek has been dishing out 6.9 assists per 36 minutes while converting 60% of his two-point attempts. That’s not just solid-it’s efficient, poised, and exactly what you want from a floor general running the second unit.
Now, the outside shot is still a work in progress. Kolek’s hit just 33.3% of his threes during that stretch (6-of-18), which isn’t ideal in today’s spacing-heavy NBA.
But his passing? That’s been eye-opening.
He’s assisting on 27.2% of the Knicks’ made field goals when he’s on the floor-the highest rate on the team during this run.
That’s not just a stat. That’s impact.
Kolek’s Chemistry with KAT Is No Fluke
What really stands out is Kolek’s synergy with Karl-Anthony Towns. When those two share the floor-without Brunson-the offense doesn’t just survive, it thrives.
Towns is averaging 32.9 points per 100 possessions in those lineups, shooting 54.8% on twos and 38.5% from deep. That’s elite-level production, and it’s coming in minutes where the Knicks could easily be vulnerable. Instead, they’re winning those stretches-by a combined 31 points in the NBA Cup quarterfinals and semifinals against Toronto and Orlando.
That kind of chemistry is hard to fake. And it’s not something we’ve seen when Towns shares the floor with Clarkson.
Clarkson’s Fit Still in Question
Coming into the season, the hope was that Clarkson could serve as a reliable secondary creator-someone who could carry the offense in spurts when Brunson rests. But that hasn’t quite materialized.
In fact, the Knicks have been outscored in the minutes Clarkson plays without Brunson. The offense bogs down, posting a rating that would land in the league’s bottom five. That’s a problem, especially for a team with playoff aspirations that needs to maximize every possession.
Meanwhile, the Knicks are winning the non-Brunson minutes with Kolek on the floor. The offensive rating isn’t off the charts, but it’s noticeably better than what they’re getting from Clarkson-led units.
A Trade Deadline Twist?
All of this raises a compelling question: Could Kolek’s emergence actually alter the Knicks’ trade deadline strategy?
There’s still a case to be made for adding a veteran ball-handler. And with Mitchell Robinson’s availability always in question, a more trusted backup big could be on the wish list too-especially someone Mike Brown is comfortable deploying ahead of Guerschon Yabusele or Ariel Hukporti.
But now, the Knicks may not feel as much urgency to address the backup guard spot. Kolek’s recent play suggests they might already have a viable in-house option. That opens the door for other possibilities-like targeting a bigger wing or even reuniting with a familiar sharpshooter to boost the perimeter attack.
None of this guarantees a massive shake-up. But the fact that Kolek is even in the conversation is a major shift from where things stood just a few weeks ago.
Not long ago, he looked like a prime candidate to be included in a trade package. Now, he might be one of the reasons the Knicks stand pat-or pivot in an entirely different direction.
The Bottom Line
Tyler Kolek isn’t putting up gaudy numbers, and he’s not about to challenge Brunson for the starting job. But what he is doing-running the offense, finding teammates in their spots, and holding down the fort when the starters sit-matters. And it’s happening at a time when the Knicks are trying to figure out exactly what they need to take the next step.
Kolek may not be the headline move at the deadline. But he just might be the reason the Knicks don’t need to make one.