NY Knicks: Summer League roster turning heads around the NBA

The NY Knicks will be taking on the Atlanta Hawks tonight in their 6th Summer League game, and their roster has already been making waves around the league.

New York has gone 3-2 in Summer League competition but it’s been the individual play from some of their rookies and sophomores that has stood out.

NY Knicks: Summer League team has stepped up

The Knicks’ Summer League roster has seen heavy minutes from sophomores Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin as well as their new rookies Miles McBride, Quentin Grimes, and Jericho Sims.

Quickley, who made the All-Rookie 2nd team last season, has looked to be better than all of his competition. Obi Toppin has also stepped up and been an alpha on for the team.

In his “Too Good For Summer League” article, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie included both Toppin and Quickley as his starters. 

Obi Toppin has averaged the 4th most points per game of any player in Summer League. He’s posted averages of 23 points and 8.2 rebounds.

Quickley has averaged just under 22 points to go with 8 assists — He’s been a vocal leader of the team and has really showcased some nice point guard skills as the team’s primary ball-handler.

The rookies have also shown up big time.

Miles McBride, who many people had higher on their draft boards than where the NY Knicks selected him, has been a lethal shooter — he’s averaged over 14 points per game while shooting a whopping 46.4% from 3 on over 5 attempts per game.

His combination of off-the-dribble scoring as well as being able to effectively play off-ball alongside Quickley has been phenomenal. That’s not to mention his perimeter defense, which has shown up in multiple highlight reels. He could soon make the case for being the Knicks best backcourt defender

Quentin Grimes, the team’s first-round pick, had his best game of the summer the other day.

For a playoff team that’s very much looking to improve upon last season, it’s nice to know the farm system is thriving.

None of these players will have starter-level roles on the Knicks (barring injury). While Toppin and Quickley will serve their roles as bench players, it’s nice to know that end of the team’s bench is young and ready to step up when needed.

For a team that didn’t select a player until pick 25 in the draft, their young talent has looked incredibly promising.