Rokas Jokubaitis explains Mirotic's tough start, talks joining Knicks / News - Basketnews.com

Rokas Jokubaitis said that the Nikola Mirotic we saw last year is still there, and he's going to show his true colors this season. Although in a limited fashion, the guard keeps in touch with the Knicks but would like to join them only if a spot on the regular roster was ready.

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Rokas Jokubaitis is in his second season with FC Barcelona. Having won the EuroLeague Rising Star Award last year, this season has been a bit more difficult for the young point guard.

Points this season

48%80,8Points made:80,8Accuracy:48,1%Place in standings:10Record max:99Record min:69Best scorer:Nikola MiroticTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

On top of that, the Catalan team revamped the roster significantly, bringing in Nikola Kalinic, Tomas Satoransky, and Jan Vesely as the three main offseason additions. Jokubaitis has usually been more consistent in the Spanish Liga Endesa this year, but he's starting to gain ground in the EuroLeague as well.

"There were a lot of changes. Even now, it sometimes feels that the entire team's core is completely different. When you look at the resumes and the experience the players have, it's impressive. We have some advantages against the other teams but haven't shown them yet," Jokubaitis told BasketNews.

"It's the time of the season when all teams are getting into their best shape. We can play better for sure, we often waste our leads, we can all see it," the guard said. "I think that with the right mentality, everything can turn to our side. We need to work these things out, not finish the season with our heads down again."

Barcelona started the season without their leader Nikola Mirotic as the Montenegrin forward suffered an ACL injury during the summer that sidelined him for the first couple of months.

After returning to the squad, Mirotic doesn't have the same numbers he used to, averaging 14.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game for 15.6 PIR in the EuroLeague. Jokubaitis thinks that the old Mirotic is still there.

"Obviously, you need time to get going after such a difficult injury. The Mirotic we saw last season and the Mirotic we see now are not that different. The stats might be worse, but he gives a lot both on and off the court for us," the Lithuanian explained. "He's the main guy that we believe in. We don't need to exaggerate his recent struggles. We all know what he's capable of. He will dazzle everyone this year once again, I have no doubt."

Nikola Mirotic

MIN:24.69PTS:14.5 (57.29%)REB:4.43As:1.43ST:0.79BL:0.5TO:1.57GM:14ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

Jokubaitis was drafted with the 34th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, which later gave his rights to the New York Knicks. He participated in the NBA Summer League that year before dedicating the summer of 2022 to the Lithuanian national team.

"I am in touch with them a bit. They have the ongoing season now, everything's tense, but we keep in touch," Jokubaitis said about his relationship with the Knicks. "My agent was there to talk with them. We haven't heard much from them, he will go there again in April. What we did hear was that the Knicks would like to see me, but the main question is whether they'd like to have me in the Summer League or on the main roster. We have to wait because we're at a point where neither I nor they know anything about it."

When is he going to join the Knicks? Jokubaitis doesn't have a clear-cut answer.

"The feeling inside has to come naturally. The understanding has to come that now I have to try my luck. With the inconsistency of this season, it's hard to tell whether I feel like I'm ready to go there. I'd have to be on the regular roster if I went there. I don't want to wander between the G-League or wait for someone to get injured.

I have to fully trust myself. At the same time, they have to fully trust me. If I helped win a more important title by not just being beside the action, that would add to my desire to go to the NBA," Jokubaitis concluded.

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