Eventually, the Knicks will need one of their young players to make a significant impact, with Mohamed Diawara appearing to be the most promising candidate. It has been quite some time — essentially since Miles McBride — that a Knicks draft pick has developed into a consistent contributor in the rotation.
One key reason for this lack of development is the Knicks’ historically low draft positions and frequent decisions to trade away first-round picks. However, in the current salary cap landscape, uncovering value through young, affordable talent is crucial.
Pacôme Dadiet has yet to prove himself over the past two seasons, while Tyler Kolek, despite flashes of potential and fan support, remains low on the depth chart. The Knicks even brought in Jose Alvarado to back up the point guard spot, showing they aren’t fully confident in Kolek. Kevin McCullar Jr. remains with a two-way contract, and Ariel Hukporti, who only saw action in emergencies last year, was traded to Philadelphia in the offseason.
Diawara has had stretches during his rookie NBA season where he firmly earned a role in coach Mike Brown’s rotation, though as the playoffs approached, his playing time diminished. Reflecting on this, Diawara said, “With such a strong big-man group, not being in the rotation anymore is just part of the team dynamic. As a rookie, I focused more on being ready for any chance to contribute rather than worrying about minutes.”
When on the court, Diawara demonstrated an offensive skill set that exceeded expectations for a 51st overall pick in 2025. Standing 6-foot-9 with long arms, he is a strong defender with an impressive physical frame that hints at considerable upside.
OG Anunoby praised Diawara’s versatile skill set, highlighting his ability to shoot, defend, and pass, and expressed excitement about his continued development. Diawara himself identified two main areas for improvement: physical strength and three-point shooting. He added, “Now that I have a year’s experience, I better understand the league’s physical demands and how to prepare my body for the upcoming season.”
The Knicks’ confidence in Diawara’s potential was clear when they signed him to a four-year, $11.2 million deal last offseason. Although he struggled in summer league and underwent a minor procedure for a left ring finger injury, he has since recovered and is already showing growth. A strong second year could solidify his place as a core player for the Knicks.
Coach Brown noted that last year Diawara appeared nervous and would often play at just one speed, but now his game has a better tempo and he communicates more effectively on the floor, both offensively and defensively. Brown emphasized that Diawara needs to take the next step forward.
Given the Knicks’ heavy investment in their starting lineup and upcoming contract decisions involving Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and McBride, the bench mostly consists of cost-effective players or veterans on minimum contracts who outperformed expectations during last year’s championship season. If Diawara can develop into a reliable contributor, it would greatly benefit the Knicks, especially since owner James Dolan has mandated the team to stay under the salary cap’s secondary threshold.
Fan Take: Knicks fans should be excited by the possibility of Mohamed Diawara breaking out in his second year, as his growth could provide vital depth and flexibility for a championship-contending roster. This development is a perfect example of how strategic drafting and player development can redefine team success, making the NBA more competitive and unpredictable.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
