Tyler Kolek is doing exactly what young guards are supposed to do in preseason: forcing the conversation.
That’s the tricky part for the Knicks. Kolek has opened his exhibition slate with the kind of energy that makes a coaching staff pay attention - five assists in the opener, three more in just 10 minutes in the second game, plus a steal or block in each outing.
He’s also been willing to put the ball on the floor and look to score, taking five shots off the bench in the first game and four more against the Wizards, including a three-pointer. Earlier this summer, at a camp, Kolek said driving to score was a point of emphasis for him this season, and he wasted no time showing it by attacking the lane and finishing through contact right away.
For New York, that’s both encouraging and awkward.
On one hand, any real step forward from Kolek is a win. If he becomes a steadier scorer, improves from deep, and keeps making progress on defense, the Knicks suddenly have another interesting piece on their hands.
On the other hand, that kind of growth makes him harder to stash. Right now, he’s buried behind Jalen Brunson and Jose Alvarado at his position, with Miles McBride, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson also needing backcourt minutes.
That’s a crowded lane, and it gets tighter if Kolek keeps playing like someone ready for a larger role.
The Knicks’ handling of Alvarado tells you plenty about how they view the situation. New York made him a priority to re-sign before free agency this summer, after targeting him at the deadline and sending out two second-rounders for what could have been a rental.
They also leaned on him in the playoffs and even the Finals when they needed a spark. Keeping Alvarado around for the next three years sends a clear message, and it’s not one that suggests Kolek is currently seen as ready for a bigger slice of the rotation.
That creates a real roster squeeze. Kolek is in the back half of his rookie deal and set to hit free agency in the summer of 2028, while Alvarado is locked in.
It’s hard to picture Leon Rose paying two traditional backup point guards unless one of them is moved out of the picture. If Kolek keeps trending up, the Knicks may eventually have to make a decision they’d rather avoid.
There’s also a possible twist here: Kolek could play so well that he prices himself into someone else’s plans. Around the league, teams could use a better backup point guard or simply a player who can handle a larger role.
Kolek is inexpensive and still has another year left on his contract after this one, which makes him an appealing trade target. If that happens, New York could use him to address another need, including the frontcourt.
That matters because the Knicks still may not be finished looking for help up front. James Wiseman has shown promise as a third big, but staying healthy and holding up across a full season has been an issue.
Andre Drummond has impressed early, yet he’s 33 and has dealt with health issues lately. So even with pieces in place for the first couple months, the center search doesn’t feel complete.
For now, the takeaway is simple: Kolek’s preseason has made him impossible to ignore. A couple of solid exhibition games won’t force New York’s hand on their own, but they do confirm that he can offer more. If he keeps that up, the Knicks won’t just have to figure out how to use him - they may have to figure out what to do because of him.
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