Rokas Jokubaitis, the intriguing Knicks draft decide from Lithuania, is coming again to Vegas.
The 23-year-old guard will play for the Knicks Summer time League squad, each an NBA supply and Jokubaitis’ present skilled crew, Barcelona, confirmed to The Publish on Wednesday.
Jokubaitis was drafted thirty fourth general by the Knicks in 2021, two spots earlier than crew president Leon Rose selected Miles McBride.
He performed three Summer time League video games with the Knicks that yr – totaling simply 29 minutes – and left to play abroad with Barcelona, the Euroleague powerhouse.
Jokubaitis didn’t take part within the final two Summer time Leagues, so this month represents the primary time he labored intently with the Knicks teaching workers in three years.
His availability for Summer time League was secured after Lithuania was eradicated within the Olympic qualifiers Monday by Puerto Rico, as Jokubaitis’ agent advised The Publish that the guard would’ve in any other case needed to skip Vegas to arrange for the Olympics.
However now he’s free and becoming a member of a Knicks roster that’s anticipated to additionally embrace Pacome Dadiet, the 2024 first-round decide, and Tyler Kolek, the second-round guard from Marquette.
Barcelona’s media director, Robert Güell, confirmed a report from Sport45 in Spain that the membership gave “the inexperienced mild” to Jokubaitis’s Summer time League participation.
As a contributor with the senior sides of each Barcelona and the Lithuanian nationwide crew, Jokubaitis pedigree deserves consideration in Vegas.
Moreover, Jokubaitis’s future with Barcelona appears tenuous as his taking part in time dropped and the backcourt grew crowded with the addition of longtime NBAer Ricky Rubio.
Jokubaitis has one yr left on his take care of Barcelona, however the crew’s coach appeared non-committal about Jokubaitis’ return subsequent season.
“It’s an extended summer season,” Barca coach Joan Peñarroya advised reporters.
At 6-4, Jokubaitis is a combo guard who’s extra of a scorer than facilitator. Within the 4 Olympic qualifiers for Lithuania, he averaged 20.9 minutes, 8.8 factors and 4 assists whereas taking pictures 40.7 p.c.
The Knicks open their Summer time League slate Saturday towards the Hornets.
