Knicks reveal 2026 Summer League roster, with Jack Kayil among notable absences

The New York Knicks have unveiled their 2026 NBA Summer League roster, offering a focused look at how the defending-champion organization plans to keep building depth and development at the margins. The group is headlined by Mohamed Diawara and Pacome Dadiet, with the Knicks treating the Las Vegas stage as a live evaluation window for players competing for training-camp relevance.

According to the roster outline published by Yahoo Sports, Diawara is expected to be a centerpiece as New York leans into size and defensive versatility during the developmental grind of Summer League. Yahoo’s preview also points to Pacome Dadiet as a key presence, positioning him as a player the Knicks can measure for growth heading into the regular season rotation picture.

One of the clearest storylines around the Knicks’ reveal is what is not included. reported that Jack Kayil, along with two-way guard Kevin McCullar Jr., were not on the 17-player roster that will represent New York in Las Vegas. The omission matters because Kayil’s availability (or lack of it) can influence how quickly the team turns its attention to specific developmental priorities across the frontcourt and wing/guard depth chart.

The roster also features a batch of college experience. Posting and Toasting listed multiple non-drafted and established collegiate names the Knicks added for Summer League, including Tyler Nickel (Vanderbilt), Jaden Akins (Michigan State), Oziyah Sellers (St. John’s), Liam Robbins (Vanderbilt), Erik Reynolds II (Saint Joseph’s), and Lance Ware (UT-Arlington). The mix indicates a common Summer League strategy, using tournament minutes to pressure-test skill sets against older, more pro-like bodies and to determine who can translate into NBA practices.

New York’s approach is also shaped by how young players handle the jump from potential to consistency. Posting and Toasting described Dadiet as entering a prove-it stretch after two seasons with the organization, an assessment that aligns with why Summer League matters for players on the edge of a rotation. For the Knicks, the practical goal is to identify which developmental pieces can provide playable minutes if injuries or performance gaps force the top seven to absorb more responsibility.

The Knicks’ Summer League staffing and assignments add another layer. reported that TJ Saint will serve as head coach for the Summer League team, a detail that underscores New York’s emphasis on instruction and systems fit rather than only talent showcasing. That matters because Summer League success is often less about individual flashes and more about whether players can quickly understand roles, pacing, and defensive communication under NBA-style pressure.

What to watch next is straightforward. First, monitor how Diawara and Dadiet perform in roles that require decision-making under pace, not just raw skills. Second, track which of the college additions can control the ball and finish possessions cleanly, since that is usually the difference between a roster invite and a fast exit. Finally, watch whether the Kayil and McCullar Jr. absences become a short-term scheduling choice or a longer report that the Knicks want other groups to carry developmental reps first.