Kayil stays in Berlin
Jack Kayil is not moving to New York this summer. The 20-year-old point guard, taken 39th overall by the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Draft, will keep playing for Alba Berlin. New York confirmed the plan on Friday. It reads as a classic draft-and-stash.
The Knicks like what they saw. They also like their books. Keeping Kayil in Germany protects roster spots and payroll room while the guard keeps testing himself against grown men in the Basketball Bundesliga and EuroLeague. His NBA rights stay with New York the whole time.
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A resume that turns heads
Kayil already owns hardware. He helped Alba Berlin to a Bundesliga title and walked away with the league’s Best German Young Player award, a prize handed before him to Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner. That company says plenty about the ceiling scouts see.
The numbers back the talk. Kayil averaged 12.4 points, 3.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 21.5 minutes a night, running an offense at an age when many prospects are still fighting for the floor. He creates, he passes, he defends his spot. New York spent a second-round pick betting that mix gets sharper.
What comes next
For now the path is patience. Kayil banks minutes in one of Europe’s toughest leagues, the Knicks bank flexibility, and both sides keep circling a future crossing. Keep climbing, and the jump to Madison Square Garden turns from an option into a plan.
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