LAS VEGAS — For apparent causes, Tyler Nickel prefers to put on No. 5.
But that uniform was taken by Knicks guard Jose Alvarado. So Nickel settled for double-nickel.
“T-Nick is my nickname, but a lot of people call me T-5,” said Nickel, the No. 47 general decide in last month’s draft. “So [No.] 5 has been me. So when [No.] 55 was available, I was like, ‘OK, I can’t get [No.] 5, so [No.] 55 is cool.’ ”
If Nickel carves out an NBA profession, he’ll be outlined by a totally different digit — 3.
Knicks second-round decide Tyler Nickel shoots a 3-pointer during the Knicks’ 70-49 Summer League loss to the Spurs on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas. NBAE via Getty Images
As the second-round decide demonstrated in his first two summer season league video games, his best asset is his proficiency from beyond the arc.
Nickel dropped six treys on 10 makes an attempt Friday against the Nets, the lone constructive in a blowout defeat that featured ugly performances from summer season league vets Mohamed Diawara, Pacôme Dadiet and Dillon Jones.
On Saturday, Nickel again was the Knicks’ main scorer with 16 factors on 6-for-14 taking pictures in half-hour in the Knicks’ 70-49 loss to the Spurs.
“I definitely feel like I have some comparisons in the league. I feel like I’m a mix of some different guys: my size, my strength, my shooting ability,” Nickel said. “I feel really comfortable shooting off the move, so like [Detroit’s] Duncan Robinson, [Cleveland’s] Max Strus, [Boston’s] Sam Hauser. But then I have my own type of way of being. So it’s kind of a mix of a lot of people but also myself.”
All these gamers, including Nickel, have two issues in frequent: They’re catch-and-shoot specialists, and they’re white.
Tyler Nickel, who scored a team-high 16 factors, appears to make a transfer during the Knicks’ Summer League loss to the Spurs. NBAE via Getty Images
“Hey, listen,” the 22-year-old Vanderbilt product laughed when advised he was making just white-player comparisons. “They got roles in the league.”
Nickel, who is from Virginia and talks with a Southern twang, will battle to keep on an NBA court docket if he can’t competently defend.
It’s thought of his weak spot, but the 6-foot-7 Nickel has the measurement to make it work with enough effort.
According to TJ Saint, coach of the Knicks’ summer season league team, Nickel dedicated to protection during minicamp last week.
“He’s been shooting all right. His defense has actually been impressive in the camp,” Saint said. “When we were in the airport the other day, I went over to talk to him, and he was studying our playbook, so I already like where he’s at, getting ahead of the game.”
Despite his promise, Nickel is unlikely to command a customary contract for the defending champs.
He’s a candidate for a two-way deal, though, and that should all be sorted out during coaching camp in late September into October.
Nickel’s 18-point recreation against the Nets drew the consideration of Josh Hart, who tweeted during the motion, “[No.] 55 got a chop,” in reference to the ahead’s taking pictures stroke.
As Kevin McCullar Jr. and particularly Diawara demonstrated last season, there always could be sudden alternatives for younger gamers.
In the meantime, Nickel’s carrying two 5s in Vegas and taking 3s.
“I heard my name called [at the draft], and seeing it being the Knicks, I was super excited,” Nickel said. “Obviously, a championship organization. I thought it was perfect; a perfect situation to see what winning is all about. The standard that they hold everybody to in the program, I feel like it’s perfect for me to be on.”
Vegas intel
Everybody is awaiting The Decision 2.0 from LeBron James — including another future Hall of Famer on the market.
According to a league supply, Russell Westbrook is a candidate to join the Heat but not if LeBron indicators in Miami.
Westbrook, 37, is a diminished model of his former MVP self but still averaged 15.2 factors over 64 video games last season with the Kings.
James, meanwhile, is sifting through his choices in free company. Miami, Cleveland and Philadelphia are thought of the front-runners.
Westbrook and James were teammates with the Lakers for 1 ½ seasons and struggled, profitable just 33 video games and falling to eleventh in the West in 2021-22.
Source hyperlink
