NY Knicks: Player comparisons for each of NY’s 2021 draft picks

Would you compare NY Knicks’ Rokas Jokubaitis to Goran Dragic?

Lazy comparison, I know, but there are just so many similarities between both of their games.

Really, they’re basically the same player except that Goran’s most elite skill is his first step and that’s what’s kept him in the league for as long as he’s been.

It’s something Rokas could work on if Dragic is in fact someone he likes to model his own game after.

After the Knicks took Rokas in the 2nd round, it seemed he would be your typical draft-and-stash Euro guard who could either come over to the states in a year or two OR be used in a trade in the near future.

Thing is, due to some circumstances within his control and beyond it, he’s potentially playing his way into a roster spot as soon as this upcoming season.

It looks as if last year’s surprise overseas pickup, Luca Vildoza, might not make the roster after a poor showing in both the Olympics and the Summer League so far.

Which could leave a spot on the team’s 15-man roster come the regular season.

Rokas had two good showings during limited playing time where he scored 8 points against both the Lakers and Pistons.

He’s shown high-level court awareness, a silky smooth touch to his jumper, and displays finesse when finishing at the rim.

His defense which is something most European players aren’t necessarily known for looks pretty good as well.

He’ll likely get a training camp invite and will have a chance to show the team whether or not he’d be worth buying out of his contract with FC Barcelona a year earlier than anticipated.

(Editor’s Note: this was written before the news of Rokas officially going back to Spain)