Knicks sign Tyler Kolek to record contract for a second-round pick

Former Marquette point guard Tyler Kolek, the 34th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, signed his rookie contract with the New York Knicks on July 5, the team announced.

Kolek will reportedly receive $6.6 million in guaranteed money over the contract, according to Ian Begley of SNY. That figure represents the most guaranteed money in history for a second-round pick, surpassing the previous record of $6.4 million (Andrew Nembhard, 2022).

The Knicks signed Kolek via the second-round pick exception, which was introduced in the new collective bargaining agreement. The exception allows teams to save some of their non-taxpayer midlevel exception to sign their draft picks.

Kolek was named a consensus second-team All-American after averaging a career-high 15.3 points, 7.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals on 38.8% shooting from 3-point range. He became one of seven players in program history to be a consensus All-American selection.

The 6-foot-3 standout led the country in assists per game and was fourth in assist percentage (42.1). He is second in program history with 697 assists and is one of four Marquette players with at least 1,000 points and 600 assists in a career.

Kolek is expected to play for the Knicks in the NBA Summer League beginning on Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets. He will likely be joined by fellow picks Pacôme Dadiet (No. 25), Kevin McCullar Jr. (No. 56) and Ariel Hukporti (No. 58), among others.