Rokas Jokubaitis, a Lithuanian point guard, appears poised to return to the New York Knicks this season after missing the Summer League in 2022 and 2023.
Marc del Rio of Diario SPORT reported that the 23-year-old has been given the “green light” from Barca to participate this summer.
“Change of plans after not receiving a ticket to the Games Lithuania’s inability to qualify for the Games alters Jokubaitis’ summer plans, as he will still have to wait to begin his vacation,” del Rio wrote, as translated by Heavy using Google Translate. “And, as SPORT can confirm, the Barça point guard will play in the NBA summer league with the New York Knicks, an American league franchise, after being selected 34th overall in the 2021 draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder but transferring to the New York team.” “Barça has approved Jokubaitis’ participation in the tournament, and he will soon join the team dynamics.”
The way for Jokubaitis’ comeback opened following Lithuania’s loss to Puerto Rico, which ended their bid to compete in the Olympics.
During the 2021 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Jokubaitis’ draft rights to New York.
In his only Summer League debut with the squad, he recorded 19 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals over three games.
As of July 8, Knicks’ 2024 Summer League roster has yet to be announced. They kick off play with a July 13 matchup with the Charlotte Hornets.
Jokubaitis to Compete with Tyler Kolek?
Regardless of his intentions, Jokubaitis will have stiff competition for Summer League minutes, at a minimum.
New York traded up to draft fourth-year guard Tyler Kolek with the 34th overall pick.
