Jack Kayil, Knicks’ 20-year-old draft pick, doesn’t want to be stashed overseas

LAS VEGAS — Jack Kayil, the Knicks draft pick from Germany, made his desire clear Saturday: He doesn’t want to be stashed overseas.

“My goal is to play in the NBA,” the 20-year-old point guard said after his summer league debut in an ugly 70-49 loss to the Spurs. “That’s why I went into the draft.”

Kayil was picked 39th overall last month but took a while to join the Knicks amid reports of a contract dispute with his team in Berlin. On the contract problems, Kayil was mum — “there were things going on that I don’t want to get into,” he said — but it’s clear he wants to stay with the Knicks.

Jack Kayil, who scored 12 points, drives to the basket during the Knicks’ 70-49 Summer League loss to the Spurs on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas. NBAE via Getty Images

“It’s not my decision, so I’m just trying to show myself in the best way, and it is what it is,” he said, adding later, “I’m super happy I also got drafted, and we’ll see what happens in the next days, weeks, whatever.”

If he joins the NBA next season, Kayil is a candidate for a two-way contract and perhaps development in the G-League.

He showed playmaking potential Saturday, but overall the Knicks’ offense was atrocious — similar to Friday’s loss to the Nets.

Kayil, who didn’t play Friday, finished with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists on 5-for-14 shooting in 21 minutes.

He and fellow rookie Tyler Nickel were the only offensive threats for New York, with Mohamed Diawara going scoreless in another dud.

“It’s difficult to say [what the differences are from the German league],” Kayil said. “It’s only one game. For me, it still feels like basketball, and [I] try to play the right way. And everywhere, it’s kind of same. It’s obviously different players to play against and a different kind of speed and everything. But I’m used to different systems, so it wasn’t difficult to adapt to that. So for me, it wasn’t that big of a difference.”

TJ Saint, the Knicks’ summer league coach, was complimentary.

“Really liked him. Started watching him on film after the draft,” Saint said. “Thought he could get in the paint. Thought he had a quick burst.”