Knicks select Rokas Jokubaitis (34th overall)

[Clyde_Style]

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This kid is 6'4", great size for a point and terrific long range shooter. With Thibs developing his defense and the winner of the European rising star, he may surprise alot of folks.

He also looks kind of slow. Then again, so does Kyle Anderson and Josh Giddy, and yet they succeed.

Maybe, but he gets to the rack at will with his stop and go handle skills which look NBA ready. He may not be an athletic specimen, but when you consider that Thibs always seems oriented towards penetrating PGs who can score through contact, Rokas actually looks like a prime candidate to either start for Thibs or back up IQ if they are going to keep developing him as a PG. Rokas, IQ and DRose would be worth watching as a fan IMO

If they do make any moves that involve sending IQ out in a trade, Rokas seems like an ideal replacement.

[2010]

If it's any consolation for those who feel (justifiably) that murphy's law will apply to Rokas ever playing in a Knicks jersey...He had an interview not too long ago where he mentioned that the Knicks have had a bunch of communication with his agent and were present for the Copa Del Ray where he played really well. So the Knicks have been present and shown signs of belief in the kid.

He is really effective at shedding the defender with the behind-the-back crossover.

[j4remi]

If it's any consolation for those who feel (justifiably) that murphy's law will apply to Rokas ever playing in a Knicks jersey...He had an interview not too long ago where he mentioned that the Knicks have had a bunch of communication with his agent and were present for the Copa Del Ray where he played really well. So the Knicks have been present and shown signs of belief in the kid.

He is really effective at shedding the defender with the behind-the-back crossover.

He's a really crafty player all around. The kid flashes instincts and anticipation way ahead of his years. He doesn't need that much space to create out of because of his heady style. I really want to see how he adapts when he hits NBA competition and athleticism.

[j4remi]

Watch on YouTube

There's a series of three consecutive dimes with the best one starting at 1:25...just really nice stuff. Kid's got crazy timing and releases those passes fast.

[omerome]

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There's a series of three consecutive dimes with the best one starting at 1:25...just really nice stuff. Kid's got crazy timing and releases those passes fast.

I wish he would come over as I think he's ready. With the way he attacks the rim and how he reads the defense, you'd think that Thibs would be excited to have him.

[spree8]

I can't shake the feeling he'll never play for us. We'll find some way to screw this up. He'll be what looks like a throw-in in some deal then turn out to be a good player somewhere else for some West Conference team. Plus the Knicks aren't legally allowed to have a real point guard who can actually distribute the fcking basketball properly.

Spoiler:

I'd love to be wrong about this. Please let me be wrong

Yea I'd love to take a chance on this kid and give him big minutes in the rotation, but I don't have any faith in the front office or coaching staff to not mess things up with him. Hope I'm wrong too.

[Triple C]

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[DaGawd]

He’s never coming

[Deeeez Knicks]

Rokas knows Thibs will never play him

[Marty McFly]

Fire Thibs. Build around Rokas.

[UcanUwill]

He's definitely a lotto pick in this draft. Which speaks to how **** this draft is.

That’s kinda what I’m wondering. I was thinking at least a mid to late first. But prior winners of the award have lottery picks such as Luka, Bargnani, Rubio, Gallinari. I don’t know if I would put him on that level but other guys like Bogdanovic, Rudy Fernandez, Goga Bitazde, Garuba, Nikola Mirotic, were mid/late first rounders. And then Kostas Papanikolaou selected 48. I guess I’m just trying to find out exactly how much hype this dude would actually have if he was entering the draft

He overperformed after Barca transfer, but I doubt his stock rose that much. Just not an ideal NBA prospect, I think his ultimate peak is something like Todays Vasilje Micic or old Goran Dragic.

[thebuzzardman]

He's definitely a lotto pick in this draft. Which speaks to how **** this draft is.

That’s kinda what I’m wondering. I was thinking at least a mid to late first. But prior winners of the award have lottery picks such as Luka, Bargnani, Rubio, Gallinari. I don’t know if I would put him on that level but other guys like Bogdanovic, Rudy Fernandez, Goga Bitazde, Garuba, Nikola Mirotic, were mid/late first rounders. And then Kostas Papanikolaou selected 48. I guess I’m just trying to find out exactly how much hype this dude would actually have if he was entering the draft

He overperformed after Barca transfer, but I doubt his stock rose that much. Just not an ideal NBA prospect, I think his ultimate peak is something like Todays Vasilje Micic or old Goran Dragic.

Yay! Another Knicks draft fail.

[UcanUwill]

That’s kinda what I’m wondering. I was thinking at least a mid to late first. But prior winners of the award have lottery picks such as Luka, Bargnani, Rubio, Gallinari. I don’t know if I would put him on that level but other guys like Bogdanovic, Rudy Fernandez, Goga Bitazde, Garuba, Nikola Mirotic, were mid/late first rounders. And then Kostas Papanikolaou selected 48. I guess I’m just trying to find out exactly how much hype this dude would actually have if he was entering the draft

He overperformed after Barca transfer, but I doubt his stock rose that much. Just not an ideal NBA prospect, I think his ultimate peak is something like Todays Vasilje Micic or old Goran Dragic.

Yay! Another Knicks draft fail.

Honestly, for a second rounder, thats not a bad value, I am just saying, do not expect lottery talent or a future all star.

[HarthorneWingo]

That’s kinda what I’m wondering. I was thinking at least a mid to late first. But prior winners of the award have lottery picks such as Luka, Bargnani, Rubio, Gallinari. I don’t know if I would put him on that level but other guys like Bogdanovic, Rudy Fernandez, Goga Bitazde, Garuba, Nikola Mirotic, were mid/late first rounders. And then Kostas Papanikolaou selected 48. I guess I’m just trying to find out exactly how much hype this dude would actually have if he was entering the draft

He overperformed after Barca transfer, but I doubt his stock rose that much. Just not an ideal NBA prospect, I think his ultimate peak is something like Todays Vasilje Micic or old Goran Dragic.

Yay! Another Knicks draft fail.

[UcanUwill]

He overperformed after Barca transfer, but I doubt his stock rose that much. Just not an ideal NBA prospect, I think his ultimate peak is something like Todays Vasilje Micic or old Goran Dragic.

Yay! Another Knicks draft fail.

I just want to point out that I am a natural pessimist, and always set myself for lowest expectations. Even with Luka I was keeping it low, even though I knew what I was watching in Madrid.

I mean Rokas did win Euroleague rising star, Wembanyama was eligible, Filip Petrusev, Mathew Strazel were eligible, but Rokas beat them, so its not like he wasnt cooking something. Smart player, but its just that its really hard to fix things like very poor vertical leap or lose handle.

[nyk2017]

Can't wait to see this kid in summer league this year and continue to develop in Europe next year. He will be with the Knicks in 2024 as a key bench player.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Loose Labia!

[UcanUwill]

Can't wait to see this kid in summer league this year and continue to develop in Europe next year. He will be with the Knicks in 2024 as a key bench player.

I doubt he plays in Summer league as national team camp starts this month and lasts till Eurobasket.

[bleedblue3303]

can someone explain as I don't claim to be well versed in Euro league. How does another season in Euro league benefit this kid more than 1 year with our team. In practices, playing in the G league, working with our training, development and coaching staff?

[movingon]

He'll be playing meaningful minutes on the 2nd biggest stage in the world.
I can see why he'd rather do that than be stuck on the bench or playing in a developmental league.
The Euro league is much more competitive than it used to be.
Plus another year closer to family and friends, and away from mass shootings and insurrections.

can someone explain as I don't claim to be well versed in Euro league. How does another season in Euro league benefit this kid more than 1 year with our team. In practices, playing in the G league, working with our training, development and coaching staff?