The New York Knicks‘ long-awaited Summer League addition is now official from every angle.
After the defending NBA champions quietly updated their Las Vegas Summer League roster to include second-round pick Jack Kayil, the final confirmation came Thursday from Serbian club Mega Basket, which announced it had granted the 20-year-old guard permission to join New York.
The announcement resolves the contractual issue that had delayed Kayil’s arrival and clears the way for his first appearance in a Knicks uniform.
Mega Basket Officially Grants Permission
The strongest confirmation yet came directly from Mega Basket, the Serbian club that retained the contractual rights necessary to authorize Kayil’s participation.
In an Instagram post, the club announced:
“Our player Jack Kayil, who spent last season on loan at ALBA Berlin and was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 39th overall pick in this summer’s NBA Draft before having his rights traded to the New York Knicks, has received club permission from Mega to play for the Knicks in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.”
The statement officially closes the paperwork issue that previously prevented Kayil from appearing on New York’s original Summer League roster.
Last week, German basketball journalist Julius Ostendorf reported the delay stemmed from an unresolved letter of clearance involving Mega Basket, while Kayil’s agent, Milan Nikolic, said he was “99%” confident the matter would be resolved.
Mega Basket’s announcement has now removed any remaining uncertainty.
Knicks Add Kayil to Summer League Roster
The Knicks have since updated their official Summer League roster to include Kayil, who will wear No. 77 in Las Vegas.
His addition comes several days after New York initially unveiled a 17-player roster without the 39th overall pick, fueling speculation that the organization had already decided to keep him overseas for the 2026-27 season.
Instead, the omission proved procedural rather than strategic.
Now cleared to participate, Kayil will get his first opportunity to practice and compete under Summer League head coach TJ Saint while the Knicks evaluate one of the organization’s most intriguing international prospects.
Overseas Development Plan Still Likely
Although Kayil is now set to play in Summer League, the long-term plan has not necessarily changed.
Before free agency opened, SNY’s Ian Begley reported the Knicks expected Kayil to continue his development in Europe during the 2026-27 season, with ALBA Berlin viewed as the likely destination after his successful loan spell there.
That remains the most likely outcome.
The Knicks already have 12 players on standard NBA contracts after signing veteran center Andre Drummond and are expected to use their remaining roster spots on experienced veterans as they attempt to defend their NBA championship while staying below the league’s restrictive second salary apron.
That makes an opening-night roster spot for Kayil unlikely.
Summer League Becomes First NBA Audition
Even if Kayil returns to Europe this fall, the NBA Summer League provides an important first impression.
The 20-year-old earned Bundesliga Best Young Player honors after averaging 12.2 points, 3.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds while emerging as one of Europe’s fastest-rising guards.
He also made no secret after the draft that he hoped to begin his NBA career immediately.
Now, after days of uncertainty surrounding his availability, Kayil will finally have that opportunity.
For the Knicks, Summer League offers more than just another developmental showcase.
It gives the front office its first extended look at a young guard many believe could eventually become part of the franchise’s future—even if that future still begins with another season overseas.
Knicks Draft Pick Finally Gets Summer League Update