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The New York Knicks have barely had any NBA Draft success in recent years.
For most teams, drafting an elite prospect is the easiest way to exit a rebuilding phase. However, a team like the New York Knicks has the ability to attract free agents in the offseason.
On the other hand, they could simply trade for a star. The Knicks have used these two methods to build their current core, featuring players like Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges.
But it couldn’t hurt to draft an elite prospect every now and then. Unfortunately, the Knicks have barely had any luck in that department, and Rokas Jokubaitis is the perfect example of this.
Rokas Jokubaitis was supposed to join the New York Knicks in 2021
Heading into the 2021 NBA Draft, the Knicks had four picks to utilize. While the franchise ended up trading three of them, they also acquired a player drafted by another team.
It was none other than Rokas Jokubaitis, who was originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 34th overall pick in the draft.
However, even with the Knicks making the selection, Jokubaitis has snubbed the team in favor of playing away from the USA.
Sure, he made sporadic appearances in the 2021 and 2024 NBA Summer League, but failed to impress the Knicks.
At 24 years old with a 6’4″ frame, Jokubaitis could become an excellent backup point guard for the Knicks, but he continues to stay away from the NBA.
Rokas Jokubaitis won’t play for the NY Knicks; signs with Bayern Munich
So far, the Lithuanian guard has spent the entirety of his career outside of the US. He has averaged 7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in the process.
One would assume that Jokubaitis will eventually make it to the NBA and earn a backup point guard role on the Knicks. Unfortunately, it will remain a pipe dream for the Knicks fanbase.
After all, according to Stefan Bondy, Jokubaitis has already signed a new multi-year deal with Bayern Munich to stay in Europe.
“Not that it was expected but. …doesn’t look like Rokas is coming to the Knicks this season,” Bondy wrote on X. “He was drafted 34th overall by New York in 2021 and has yet to play an NBA game.”
Rokas’ new deal with Munich is reportedly until 2028. So, is it time for Knicks Nation to stop expecting him to play in the NBA? Most likely.
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