​The New York Knicks’ long-awaited Summer League addition is finally official from every angle. After quietly updating their Las Vegas Summer League roster to include second-round pick Jack Kayil, the final confirmation arrived on Thursday from Mega Basket, the Serbian club that granted the 20-year-old guard permission to join New York. This announcement resolves the contractual snag that had delayed Kayil’s arrival and clears the way for his first appearance in a Knicks uniform.
Mega Basket’s confirmation stands as the strongest endorsement yet, as the Serbian club retained the necessary contractual rights to authorize Kayil’s participation. In an Instagram post, Mega Basket stated: “Our player Jack Kayil, who spent last season on loan at ALBA Berlin and was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 39th overall pick in this summer’s NBA Draft before having his rights traded to the New York Knicks, has received club permission from Mega to play for the Knicks in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.” The club’s message officially closes the paperwork issue that previously prevented Kayil from appearing on New York’s original Summer League roster.
Earlier reporting from German basketball journalist Julius Ostendorf noted that the delay stemmed from an unresolved clearance letter involving Mega Basket, while Kayil’s agent, Milan Nikolic, indicated he was “99%” confident the matter would be resolved. Mega Basket’s announcement now removes any remaining uncertainty.
The Knicks have since updated their official Summer League roster to include Kayil, who will wear No. 77 in Las Vegas. His addition comes shortly after New York initially unveiled a 17-player roster that did not include the 39th overall pick, which had sparked speculation that the organization might be keeping him overseas for the 2026-27 season. However, the omission proved to be procedural rather than strategic. With the matter resolved, Kayil will have his first chance to practice and compete under Summer League head coach TJ Saint as the Knicks evaluate one of the organization’s most intriguing international prospects.
Although Kayil is now poised to participate in Summer League, the long-term plan remains consistent with pre-draft expectations. Before free agency opened, Ian Begley of SNY reported that the Knicks anticipated Kayil continuing his development in Europe during the 2026-27 season, with ALBA Berlin viewed as the likely destination following his successful loan spell there. That scenario remains the most probable outcome.
The Knicks already boast 12 players on standard NBA contracts after signing veteran center Andre Drummond, and they are expected to allocate their remaining roster spots to experienced veterans as they aim to defend their NBA championship while navigating the league’s restricted second salary apron. In this context, Kayil’s Summer League opportunity represents a meaningful step in his progression and an important strategic decision for an organization that is balancing immediate contention with long-term development.