Westchester Knicks 2026-27 Season Primer

WHITE PLAINS, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Dink Pate #1 of the Westchester Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Charge on February 21, 2026 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

New York’s G League affiliate opens its 2026-27 season tonight against the Maine Celtics in the Tip-Off Tournament. The roster features three players on two-way contracts, a returning fan favorite (hint: he’s great on toast), and a collection of prospects hoping to dribble their way up to an NBA court.

With the Knicks operating near the second apron, Westchester provides a way to develop young players without committing additional standard roster spots. Two-way players can spend most of the season in White Plains while remaining available for NBA duty, subject to a limit of up to 50 games on the active roster. The G League has also given players like Deuce McBride and Tyler Kolek opportunities to get more work. Here’s a peek at the players worth watching.

Of everyone on Westchester’s roster, Dalton Knecht has the clearest path to helping the big club this season. The 2024 first-round pick (17th overall) arrived after the Lakers waived him, with New York releasing Kevin McCullar Jr. to make room for Knecht on a two-way contract. This low-risk move could pay off if the former Tennessee star rediscovers his shooting touch and improves his court awareness, which was a criticism raised in the comments section at Silver Screen and Roll.

The 25-year-old made a promising debut for the New York Knicks this week, scoring 10 points on efficient 4-of-6 shooting (including two threes) with seven boards, a dime, and a block in 16 minutes off the bench in a rout of the Bulls. Finding consistent playing time will be difficult, however. With Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Landry Shamet, Pacôme Dadiet, and Mohamed Diawara competing for minutes on the wings, Knecht will probably need an injury or another opening to receive an extended look. (TBH, he already looks ahead of Dadiet.)

Coach Mike Brown has said he’d rather see Knecht playing meaningful minutes in the G League than sitting on the NBA bench. Makes sense. Knecht needs opportunities to shoot, make decisions, and work through mistakes. He has shown he can score, but questions remain about his defense, shot selection, and ability to contribute consistently as a role player.

If Knecht performs well enough, the organization could eventually consider converting him to a standard NBA contract, which would require sufficient roster and financial room. For now, he should get plenty of opportunities to let it fly against G League competition.

Speaking of flamethrowers . . . Tyler “Silent K” Nickel might be the most straightforward fit for what the Knicks need. New York selected the Vanderbilt sharpshooter with the 47th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after an impressive senior season. He followed that with a promising Summer League showing and signed a two-way contract.

From what we’ve seen, Nickel moves well without the ball, finds open space, and punishes defenses for leaving him unattended. The big league Knicks have several players capable of creating offense, and a dependable perimeter shooter who doesn’t require many touches could fit nicely alongside them (see: Landry Shamet).

His defense will help determine how quickly the 23-year-old advances. He needs to prove he can handle quicker, stronger NBA bodies while maintaining his shooting efficiency against more aggressive closeouts. Westchester should give him plenty of reps to work on both.

Nickel doesn’t seem to have Knecht’s offensive versatility, but his shooting gives him a clearly defined role. If he can hold his own defensively, he could become a useful option for additional spacing. For the time being, Westchester might have its very own set of Splash Brothers to keep you entertained (at a reasonable price).

Jaden Akins took a less direct route to New York. Undrafted out of Michigan State in 2025, he spent last season with the Motor City Cruise after earning All-Big Ten third-team and All-Defensive recognition as a senior. His combination of scoring, secondary playmaking, and defense caught the Knicks’ attention. Westchester acquired his returning player rights in September, and he secured a two-way contract before the season.

Akins faces considerable competition at the one- and two-guard spots. His best chance of separating himself is to use his time at Westchester to polish his defense and his work off the ball. Can he defend multiple positions, run an offense for stretches, and make open shots? Can he contribute consistently without committing unnecessary fouls or turnovers? Those qualities will probably matter more to New York than his individual scoring averages.

The fan favorite returns! Dink Pate returns to Westchester after a confusing offseason. The 6’8” wing, still only 20 years old, averaged approximately 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists across 50 games with the club last season. He subsequently attempted to play college basketball at Providence, but that plan fell through amid questions about his NCAA eligibility. The Knicks signed and waived him on an Exhibit 10 contract, and he returned to Westchester, which already held his G League rights.

Pate has length, can create his own offense, and contributes as a rebounder and passer. His combination of physical tools and professional experience makes him one of Westchester’s more interesting developmental players. Decision-making and efficiency are where he needs improvement.

Unlike Knecht, Nickel, and Akins, Pate doesn’t have a two-way contract. He would need an available two-way or standard roster spot and a new NBA contract to join the big club. Westchester’s rights also don’t prevent another NBA team from signing him. Thus, his time in White Plains is a prove-it run for a broader audience—so we expect to see some inspired hooping from him this season.

Westchester’s frontcourt includes several players who could provide useful depth. Liam Robbins, a seven-footer who went undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2023, is probably the most recognizable. He showed some encouraging work around the iron during Summer League with the Knicks, and Westchester subsequently acquired his G League rights.

Robbins brings size, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability. The big league club could use more reliable center depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, with James Wiseman slow to make an impression. Robbins could use his time in White Plains to convince the team he deserves a look—perhaps before the front office starts eyeing its surplus of guards as trade bait.

N’Faly Dante, the 6-foot-11 former Oregon center, is working his way back from an ACL injury. His size and athleticism lift our eyebrows, but getting healthy and regaining his previous form will be the immediate priorities.

Igor Miličić Jr., a 6-foot-10 forward out of Tennessee, brings international experience and positional versatility after spending time with the Delaware Blue Coats last season. Improving his outside shooting and defensive consistency would help him take the next step.

Westchester also has several forwards competing for rotation minutes. Nick Jourdain returns after averaging roughly eight points and more than five rebounds last season. The former Memphis forward provides rebounding, energy, and defensive effort. His journey from local tryout to returning player is a nice story, even if an NBA opportunity remains a longer shot.

Toby Okani, the former West Virginia wing, brings length and athleticism after spending time with multiple G League organizations. David Dixon, an undrafted forward out of Duquesne, and Tahj-Malik Campbell are also trying to establish roles after joining the training camp group.

Westchester’s backcourt includes several capable players. Mitchell Mascari is worth watching after arriving from the Stockton Kings. The 6’5” guard shot approximately 42% from downtown last season, giving Westchester another option to stretch the floor.

Paul Zilinskas returns as a scoring option at guard and on the wing, while Amir “Primo” Spears joins the club after being selected 25th in the 2026 G League Draft. Spears brings extensive college experience, including a productive stint at UTSA, and spent last season playing professionally in Mexico.

The three two-way players will receive the most attention this season, although we’ll also keep an eye on Pate (‘cuz he’s kinda electric). The rest of the roster will compete for minutes and try to establish themselves as dependable professional players. Westchester opens its Tip-Off Tournament schedule tonight at 7 p.m. against the Maine Celtics at the Portland Expo, then faces the same opponent at the same venue Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Both games will air on MSG Network.

Go W-Knicks!