After the Knicks waived Tosan Evbuomwan last Wednesday before his contract became guaranteed, 19-year-old Dink Pate made his case almost immediately. Just two days later with the Westchester Knicks, he delivered a performance that didn’t just argue for that open two-way spot, but also signaled a move toward getting younger across the roster.
Over the weekend, Pate logged the full 48 minutes in Friday night’s matchup for the Westchester Knicks against the Stockton Kings and turned in the most complete showing of his young pro career. He poured in 31 points and caught absolute fire from deep, knocking down 8 of his 14 three-point attempts, a career-high in his third G League season. Pate filled out the box score with four rebounds and five assists, went 2-for-3 on shots inside the arc, and did it all without committing a single turnover, an impressive level of control considering how heavily the offense ran through him.
Shooting has long been the swing skill in Pate’s evaluation. His physical tools, athletic fluidity, and advanced feel for the game have been evident since his mid-teens, but lingering doubts about the consistency of his jumper helped push him into undrafted territory in the 2025 NBA Draft. Performances like Friday’s, however, hint that this long-standing question may finally be turning into an answer.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 19: Dink Pate #28 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 19, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 19: Dink Pate #28 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 19, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images)
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That progression has been steady and intentional. A Las Vegas native, Pate bypassed the collegiate route and turned pro at just 17, joining G League Ignite and becoming one of the youngest players ever to compete at that level. Now only 19, he is already in his third professional season. At 6-foot-8, he entered the league as a versatile wing with ball-handling chops, playmaking instincts, and the ability to guard multiple positions. Early on, his role was less about box-score production and more about adjustment, development, and sharpening his overall skill set.
Following his tenure with Ignite, Pate continued his development with the Mexico City Capitanes, where he assumed expanded offensive duties and further honed his decision-making. That experience accelerated his maturation, particularly in processing defensive coverages and absorbing physical contact while maintaining efficiency.
Friday’s outing was not an anomaly. Earlier this season, Pate authored a 37-point, 11-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, demonstrating his capacity to dictate the flow of a game across multiple facets. He connected on five three-pointers in that performance, a season-high figure that was eclipsed by his eight makes against Stockton.
WHITE PLAINS, NY - JANUARY 10: Dink Pate #1 of the Westchester Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Stockton Kings on January 10, 2026 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. 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)
WHITE PLAINS, NY - JANUARY 10: Dink Pate #1 of the Westchester Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Stockton Kings on January 10, 2026 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. 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)
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The timing of Pate’s rise feels anything but coincidental. With the Knicks currently holding an open two-way spot, the door is wide open for the organization to take a long look inward rather than search elsewhere. Head coach Mike Brown has shown he’s not shy about leaning on young pieces, and while Pate would be the youngest player on the Knicks roster, his lengthy run in the G League has given him a level of experience that puts him right in that same conversation as some of the other Knicks in their sophomore seasons.
Even if Pate were to secure a two-way contract, a consistent role at the NBA level would remain far from assured. New York’s rotation is densely populated, and opportunities often materialize only through reduction, as evidenced by some of the team’s recent injuries.
Should such an opening emerge, Pate would offer a dimension that is largely absent from the current roster. Currently the Knicks are thin with wings capable of routinely generating advantages through vertical athleticism and open-floor explosiveness. At just 19 years old, Pate remains a developmental investment rather than a finished product, but his recent shooting advancements indicate that his trajectory is increasingly aligned with long-term NBA viability.