Knicks add to backcourt depth by drafting Marquette's Tyler Kolek in the second round of the NBA Draft

The Knicks entered the NBA Draft with two goals clearly in mind: Adding depth and talent to the back end of the roster for sure, but also managing their precariously balanced salary cap.

The second part was achieved Wednesday when they dealt away one of their first-round picks and used the other on Pacome Dadiet, an 18-year-old French native who is likely to remain overseas this season, allowing the team to save approximately $6 million in guaranteed salaries.

Thursday, in the less heralded second round, they may have found a part of the needed depth when they selected Marquette’s Tyler Kolek, a hard-nosed point guard who could earn a spot, and eventually a role, behind Jalen Brunson.

The 23-year-old Kolek, who began his college career at George Mason and then spent three years at Marquette, led the nation in assists (7.7) as a senior after earning Big East Player of the Year as a junior. He was projected by many as a first-round pick, but at 6-1, fell to the second round despite those accomplishments.

The Knicks entered the second day of the draft with the No. 38 and 51 picks, but they traded up to No. 34, surrendering three future second-round picks, to grab Kolek and fill a need. The Knicks currently have Deuce McBride, who underwent a surgical procedure this week on his right pinkie toe and is expected to resume basketball activities this summer, as the backup point guard. He emerged as an important part of the team this season, but his skills have been on the defensive end — where he is an end-to-end pest — and with his much-improved three-point shooting. The team did not consider him a true point guard in terms of organizing an offense when Brunson was off the floor.

Oso Ighodaro, Kolek’s Marquette teammate who was picked six spots later, was asked what Kolek will bring to the Knicks and he said, “Just toughness, a winner, hard worker. Just everything you look for in a player, that’s Tyler. So I’m excited to see what he does in the NBA.”

The Knicks then continued their usual draft-day shuffling, sending the 38th pick to Oklahoma City for the 40th pick and cash considerations. Shortly after, they moved that No. 40 pick to Phoenix for the 56th pick. The 51st pick that they obtained in a shuffling of spots in the first round Wednesday was then moved to the Dallas Mavericks for the 58th and final pick of the draft.

The movement up and down the draft has been a familiar strategy for the Knicks under the current front office, shifting spots and accumulating assets in the process.

At No. 56 the Knicks took Kevin McCullar Jr. from Kansas. He led the Jayhawks in scoring in his final season but missed time late in the year with a bone bruise in his knee. The Knicks then picked 22-year-old Ariel Hukporti, a 7-foot center who was playing in Germany for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and likely will also be a draft-and-stash piece.

Dadiet was asked Wednesday night about the possibility of remaining overseas and he said, “I’m planning on playing here.” But a league source indicated the team was likely to have him remain in Europe for the upcoming season.

The Knicks also still hold the rights to Rokas Jokubaitis, a talented point guard who has played for Barcelona since being drafted by the team. His decision regarding whether he will join the Knicks in Las Vegas for the Summer League remains uncertain, depending on his status with the Lithuanian national team.

By Steve Popper

steve.popper@newsday.com@StevePopper

Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.