Is the Knicks' Point Guard of the Future Already On Their Roster?
Deuce McBride is averaging a 27.9 points, 9.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 made three-pointers and 2.2 steals per game in the G League, while shooting over 44% from downtown and 91.7% from FT line.
All season, I've highlighted the importance of solid point guard play and its direct correlation to sustained success for the Knicks. And over the past two weeks, I've examined the pros and cons associated with a pair of young, talented point guards (De'Aaron Fox and Jalen Brunson) that the Knicks may consider acquiring before the February 10th trade deadline. In the months and weeks leading up to free agency this summer, we'll also take a long look at each PG set to hit the open market.
However, there are a pair of point guards that New York drafted last year that may significantly factor into the Knicks' decision-making.
The Knicks selected Rokas Jokubaitis with the 34th overall pick in the 2021 draft. The selection surprised plenty of pundits, as Jokubaitis, who began his professional career playing for Zalgiris, a team based in Kaunas, Lithuania, wasn't a popular name in most mock drafts.
The youngster, who was just 20 years old at the time, appeared in three games for the Knicks Summer League squad in Las Vegas, scoring 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, to go along with four rebounds, four assists, three treys, and four steals in 29 minutes. Still, the plan was always to have him spend at least one year getting extra seasoning overseas.
And this season, Jokubaitis' stock has risen dramatically, as he has drawn international praise playing for the world-renowned FC Barcelona club in Spain. Barcelona brought in Jokubaitis to replace Leandro Bolmaro, who left Europe to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who selected him with the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. When starting PG Nick Calathes was injured in late November, Jokubaitis was asked to shoulder even more responsibility.
Jokubaitis stepped in and stepped up. Over his first 20 EuroLeague games, the 21-year-old averaged 8.4 points and 3.3 assists in 18.5 minutes per contest. He was also incredibly efficient offensively, shooting a scorching 55.8% from the floor, 55.6% from downtown and 80% from the free-throw line.
"Things happened very fast," Jokubaitis told Eurohoops in December. "A few players got injured. This situation changed things fast. It was like this (snaps fingers) that I got more playing time. Me and Nicolas Laprovittola are the only two point guards on the team. It's not very easy. But when it comes to the experience, I'm getting… It's incredible. Players will come back from injuries, but I showed the coaches that I can play."
Yes, his head coach, former University of Maryland star Sarunas Jasikevicius, told reporters Jokubaitis "does not seem to be 21 years old. He is really consistent in the game."
The start of 2022 has been particularly encouraging for the Knicks draftee. The Euroleague Basketball's annual mid-season survey was released in the first week of January, and the league's general managers named Jokubaitis as the favorite to win the Euroleague's Rising Star award, granted to the league's top young player. For those readers who may be unfamiliar, winning the Rising Star award is a big deal.
Each of the last seven players to win the award would be selected in the first round of the NBA draft, with several of them being taken in the top half of the lottery.
Here are EuroLeague Rising Star award winners over the last 15 years:
Andrea Bargnani (2005-06)
Rudy Fernández (2006–07)
Danilo Gallinari (2007-08)
Ricky Rubio (2009–10)
Nikola Mirotić (2011–12 and 2012-13)
Bogdan Bogdanović (2013–14 and 2014–15)
Álex Abrines(2015–16)
Luka Dončić(2017–18 and 2018–19)
Goga Bitadze (2019–20
Usman Garuba (2020-21)
On January 13th, Jokubaitis poured in 16 points (on 6-of-10 shooting) to lead Barca to an impressive win over Anadolu Efes.
In an interview with Eurohoops.net, Jokubaitis said he's been in contact with his American club and expects them to visit next month. "Sometimes my Summer League coaches text me to see how I'm doing," Jokubaitis said. "They reached out to my agent and my agents in the USA. I think a few staff members from the Knicks are coming in February [to watch me]. I'll be in better touch with them."
Rokas says he's tried to keep an eye on his future club. "[I'm watching their games] whenever I have a chance. The schedule doesn't allow it all the time. I follow them, and I know what's happening. I keep in contact with a few players, rookies that I've played with in Summer League. I know what's happening on the team."
Jokubaitis acknowledged he still has a long way to go before reaching his potential. "Every time someone asks what I have to improve, it is making decisions with the right hand, 3-point shooting and defense. If we are talking about the NBA – and EuroLeague, of course – it's physicality, speed, shooting." The young PG noted that he's motivated by the folks who argue he isn't athletic enough, or a strong enough defender, to succeed in the NBA. "I like to read these things – what's more negative, not the positive," Jokubaitis declared.
Meanwhile, back stateside, Deuce McBride has exceeded expectations early on as well, authoring some impressive performances, starting over the summer in Vegas.
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