New York Knicks second-round draft pick Tyler Nickel has begun to showcase his primary asset – his 3-point shooting – in the NBA Summer League. Nickel, the 47th overall selection in the recent draft, has adopted the jersey number 55, a nod to his nickname "T-5" and his preferred digit, 5, which was already worn by teammate Jose Alvarado.
Nickel's proficiency from beyond the arc was evident in his early Summer League performances. In a game against the Nets, he made six of ten 3-point attempts. He followed this by scoring a team-high 16 points on 6-for-14 shooting in a loss to the Spurs. Nickel sees himself as a mix of players like Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, and Sam Hauser, all known for their catch-and-shoot abilities.
"All those players, including Nickel, have two things in common: They’re catch-and-shoot specialists, and they’re white," the article notes. Nickel, 22, laughed when this observation was made, stating, "They got roles in the league."
While his shooting is his strength, Nickel acknowledges that defense is a weakness he must address to secure an NBA career. The 6-foot-7 forward possesses the size to improve defensively with dedicated effort. Knicks' summer league coach TJ Saint noted Nickel's commitment to defense during a recent minicamp, adding that Nickel was observed studying the team's playbook.
Nickel is a candidate for a two-way contract, with decisions expected during training camp in late September and October. His performance has drawn attention, with teammate Josh Hart tweeting about his shooting stroke during a game. The Knicks organization, coming off a championship, presents an environment Nickel believes is ideal for his development.
In a separate note, Russell Westbrook is reportedly being considered by the Miami Heat, but his potential signing is contingent on LeBron James not joining the team. Westbrook, 37, averaged 15.2 points per game for the Kings last season. James is currently weighing offers from Miami, Cleveland, and Philadelphia. Westbrook and James were previously teammates with the Lakers for one and a half seasons, a period that saw limited success.