LAS VEGAS — Tyler Nickell’s Number Choice
Tyler Nickell has a good reason for wearing No. 5. But since that number was snagged by Knicks guard Jose Alvarado, he opted for No. 55.
“My nickname is T-Nick, but many call me T-5,” Nickell, the 47th pick in last month’s draft, shared. “So 5 has always felt like me. When No. 55 became available, I thought, ‘Okay, it’s not quite 5, but it works.’”
If Nickell finds success in the NBA, he might also come to be known by another number: 3.
Throughout his first two Summer League games, he showcased his strong three-point shooting skills.
In one game, he nailed six three-pointers out of ten attempts against the Nets, a rare highlight amid a tough loss marked by disappointing performances from some veterans. The next day, in a 70-49 defeat to the Spurs, he led the Knicks with 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting during 30 minutes of play.
“I feel like there are comparisons drawn everywhere,” Nickel mentioned. “I see bits of different players in my game—my size, strength, and shooting ability. It’s easy to shoot off movement, similar to guys like Duncan Robinson from Detroit, Max Strus from Cleveland, and Sam Hauser from Boston. Yet, I bring my own unique style to the court.”
Interestingly, these players—and Nickel himself—share two notable traits: they’re catch-and-shoot specialists and they’re white.
“Hey, I’m just stating observations here,” the 22-year-old, who hails from Virginia, laughed when asked about his comparisons. “Those guys have carved out their niches in the league.”
Nickel, who identifies with his Southern roots, understands that his defensive skills need improvement to secure a spot in the NBA.
At 6-foot-7, he has the physicality to make strides in that area, as long as he puts in the effort.
During last week’s minicamp, Nickel focused on enhancing his defense, according to TJ Saint, the coach of the Knicks’ Summer League team.
“His shooting is looking solid, but his defense surprised me at camp,” Saint noted. “I chatted with him at the airport, and he was buried in our playbook, which is a promising sign.”
Despite his potential, a standard contract with the defending champions seems unlikely for Nickel. However, he remains in the running for a two-way contract, with clarity expected during training camp in late September and October.
Nickel’s standout 18-point performance against the Nets didn’t go unnoticed; it drew a tweet from Josh Hart, who remarked on his shooting style saying, “[No.] 55 made a chop.”
As shown by players like Kevin McCullar Jr. and Mohamed Diawara last season, unexpected opportunities can arise for young talent.
In the meantime, Nickell is fully embracing his dual number choice and focusing on his shooting skills.
“Hearing my name during the draft was incredible. When I saw it was the Knicks, I felt thrilled. This is the ideal setting to understand what winning means,” Nickell expressed. “I believe the standards within this program align perfectly with my aspirations.”
Intel in Las Vegas
All eyes are on LeBron James as “The Decision 2.0” approaches, including those of another future Hall of Famer—Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook is a candidate for the Heat, but if LeBron signs with Miami, that might change, according to league insiders.
At 37, Westbrook’s play has diminished compared to his MVP days, but he still averaged 15.2 points in 64 games last season with the Kings.
Meanwhile, James is weighing his free agent options, with Miami, Cleveland, and Philadelphia emerging as the frontrunners.
Westbrook and James shared a challenging stint together on the Lakers and struggled during the 2021-22 season, finishing 11th in the West with just 33 wins.
