The New York Knicks made a quiet but intriguing move last offseason when they brought in 19-year-old Dink Pate as an undrafted free agent. A long, athletic guard with a unique developmental path, Pate has already started to turn heads in the G League with the Westchester Knicks.
Now in his third season at that level - yes, third, despite being just 19 - Pate is already setting records and showing flashes of high-level potential. Naturally, you’d think the next step would be a two-way contract and a shot with the big club at Madison Square Garden.
But Pate might be charting an entirely different course.
According to DraftExpress, Pate is exploring a move to the NCAA ranks - a highly unusual pivot for someone with his résumé. He’s logged multiple seasons in the G League and has Summer League experience under his belt, yet he’s never signed a two-way deal.
That detail is crucial, because it means he’s still eligible to play college basketball. And if he follows through, he’d become one of the rare players to go from the pros to the college game, rather than the other way around.
It’s a move that would certainly turn heads - not because it’s ill-advised, but because it’s unprecedented. We’ve already seen something similar this season with James Nnaji, whose draft rights the Knicks acquired in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.
Nnaji, after playing in the NBA Summer League for both Charlotte and New York, opted to enroll at Baylor in late December. Now, it looks like Pate could be eyeing a similar shift.
For the Knicks, that possibility throws a wrench into what seemed like a logical progression. The team recently opened up a third two-way contract slot, and speculation swirled that Pate might finally get the call-up. But that spot went to another young prospect: Dillon Jones.
Jones, a former first-round pick, was originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder after they sent five second-rounders to the Knicks to move up in the 2024 NBA Draft. Now, the Knicks have brought Jones into the fold themselves, completing a full-circle moment from that draft day deal. His signing was first reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
What this means for the Knicks’ long-term plans remains to be seen. Head coach Mike Brown hasn’t publicly addressed how Jones fits into the rotation or development pipeline just yet. But one thing is clear: the Knicks are pivoting, at least for now, away from Pate.
It’s a tough situation for New York. Pate’s talent is undeniable, and his early G League production suggests he could be a long-term asset.
But if he’s keeping his NCAA eligibility intact by avoiding a two-way deal, it’s clear he’s weighing his options carefully - and NIL money could be a big part of that equation. College basketball now offers a legitimate financial and developmental alternative, especially for players who want to reset their trajectory or raise their draft stock.
For the Knicks, the door isn’t necessarily closed. If Pate does choose the college route, there’s still a chance he circles back to the NBA - and maybe even to New York - down the line. But for now, the Knicks are moving forward with Dillon Jones, and Pate’s journey is taking a surprising but fascinating detour.