The Knicks still have work to do before they can settle in for another title defense, and Summer League is giving them a few more names to file away.
New York enters the 2026-27 season with just 13 players under contract, so at least one more roster spot still needs to be filled. That makes every strong showing in Las Vegas worth watching a little closer, especially from players trying to force their way into the conversation.
Liam Robbins made the loudest case in the Knicks’ recent Summer League win. The undrafted 2025 big man, who spent most of last season with the Milwaukee Bucks’ G-League affiliate, had been quiet in the earlier games. This time, the 7-footer put together a line that stood out: 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and four blocks.
Robbins did a little of everything. He finished around the rim after offensive rebounds, showed touch from the mid-range, and even stretched out to the 3-point line, where he hit one of four attempts. More than anything, he looked like a player willing to do the dirty work.
“I'm someone who can come in, give good energy, play D and play The Knick Way…championship effort,” Robbins recently told ESPN's Cassidy Hubbarth.
That defensive piece matters for New York. The Knicks currently have only two seven-footers on the roster in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.
Towns showed real growth on that end last season, but foul trouble still crept in too often. Drummond, meanwhile, is widely viewed as a defensive liability.
That opens a door for Robbins, at least as a roster candidate or someone who could spend time with the team next season.
Jack Kayil also helped himself in the same game. The 20-year-old German guard scored 19 points, added four assists, and grabbed three steals while looking comfortable running the offense and pushing the tempo. He also knocked down three of seven shots from deep, which only helps his case.
Kayil had a bigger role with Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara sidelined, but he still made the most of it.
The challenge for Kayil is simple: he’s a guard, and the Knicks already have plenty of those. Jalen Brunson, Jose Alvarado, Tyler Kolek, Mikal Bridges, Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson are already in place in the backcourt rotation. That makes Kayil more of a longer-term name than an obvious fit for the defending champions’ current roster.
"I'm someone who can come in, give good energy, play D and play The Knick Way…championship effort"
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 13, 2026
–– Center prospect Liam Robbins to @CassidyHubbarth as Knicks get 1st summer W:
15 points
6-13 FG
1 three
5 boards
3 offensive
3 assists
2 steals
4 blocks pic.twitter.com/yWSGuLmX84
Even so, New York’s bigger picture remains clear. The Knicks are bringing back most of the players who drove last season’s run, with Mitchell Robinson the notable exception.
They’ve added Drummond and a few draft picks they can keep evaluating, and there’s still one open spot on the roster. That final opening could go to a draft pick, an unrestricted free agent, or someone else entirely if Leon Rose and company have another move in mind.
Whoever lands it will have a chance to matter, especially if the Knicks decide to use that spot on a center.
In Other News...
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Kevin Durant added to the buzz by publicly calling Philadelphias new look dangerous and saying he was happy for Brown, a reaction that only sharpened the attention around the move. The bigger question for New York is how this reshaped Sixers roster will look once the games start to matter most, because the East just added another contender with a trio built to make life difficult for everyone else. [Read more 🡒]
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Knicks Still Have One Big Question Behind Towns And Drummond
The Knicks have already addressed one of the biggest holes in their frontcourt by bringing in Andre Drummond on a one-year deal, but the work around the center spot does not feel finished. After losing Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti from last seasons championship group, New York is still looking at ways to add size, insurance and a little more defensive presence behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Drummond.
One name that keeps surfacing is Trey Jemison III, who spent last season on a two-way contract and showed enough in limited action to keep him in the conversation. His appeal is simple enough for a roster built on depth: he can protect the rim, rebound and give the Knicks another big body if injuries or foul trouble hit, even if he is not expected to be part of the regular rotation. [Read more 🡒]