LAS VEGAS — At a profession crossroads and not sure about his subsequent cease, Rokas Jokubaitis believes he’s prepared for the NBA.
“With years of maturity, expertise I’ve from Europe, I believe I’m prepared,” Jokubaitis stated. “And I wish to come right here.”
In fact, the will has to match from each side and there’s been no phrase from the Knicks, good or unhealthy, about their urge for food for signing Jokubaitis to an NBA contract.
League on July 13, feels he’s lastly NBA-ready. NBAE through Getty Photographs
As New York’s thirty fourth choose within the 2021 draft, Jokubaitis spent the final three seasons stashed abroad and returned to the Summer time League Knicks this month with combined outcomes — together with his 5 assists, two steals and 16 factors on 7-of-7 taking pictures in Wednesday’s 106-105 win over the Kings.
It was Jokubaitis’ finest efficiency of the summer season, a window into his potential as a playmaker/shotmaker with a excessive IQ.
On one play within the third quarter, Jokubaitis cheekily snuck behind a Sacramento participant holding the ball, stripped it and jammed it in entrance of Knicks executives Frank Zanin and Brock Aller.
“He was aggressive on each side of the ground,” Knicks coach Cube Yoshimoto stated. “He acquired into the ball higher. He’s understanding the defensive schemes higher. He’s finished an excellent job to this point watching the movie.”
The earlier video games weren’t as promising for Jokubaitis, and the Knicks have tellingly introduced him off the bench behind Tyler Kolek, who hit the game-winner Wednesday on an and-1 lay-up with 2.4 seconds left.
Jokubaitis watched that dramatic end from the bench, however Wednesday was nonetheless the excessive mark of his appearances in Vegas.
Over his three video games this summer season, Jokubaitis averaged 9.3 factors, 2.7 assists and taking pictures 71 p.c in 17 minutes. The 23-year-old, who was drafted by the Knicks two spots forward of Miles McBride, acknowledged an adjustment to the much less organized type of Summer time League.
FIBA Olympic qualifying event sport earlier this month. AP
“There are a number of various things between this basketball and European basketball,” stated Jokubaitis, who performed the final three seasons with European powerhouse Barcelona in Spain. “Right here, there’s not a lot guidelines or play, simply to really feel your teammates.
“So it’s an excellent factor for me to know as many basketball [styles as possible]. European, American basketball, as many as potential as a result of I don’t know the place I’m going to play in my life.”
Jokubaitis’ subsequent vacation spot is up within the air. He’s beneath contract with Barcelona for one more season, however rumors and stories recommend the group will pivot elsewhere for a degree guard, particularly towards Spurs draft choose Juan Nunez.
Jokubaitis, a lefty combo guard, confirmed that he’s in talks to rejoin Zalgiris, a professional group in his house nation of Lithuania. Nonetheless, he rejected stories that it’s a finished deal.
“The entire Europe is speaking about it,” Jokubaitis stated. “However I nonetheless have a contract with Barcelona. It’s extra of like we’re in talks [with Zalgiris] however not very close to to signing. Nonetheless, I’ve a contract with Barca, and in just a few weeks we are going to see the place I’ll go. However now I’ve just a few video games in Summer time League and we’ll see.”
Essentially the most troublesome path, although usually essentially the most profitable, is thru the NBA. However the Knicks’ guard rotation is full after the signing of Cam Payne, and Jokubaitis has performed within the highest ranges of Europe.
He’s open to something.
“At this level I don’t have any desire. I performed my complete life in Europe however I at all times needed to come back again right here to see myself how I’d do right here,” he stated. “My choices are free and why not attempt it right here additionally?”