The New York Knicks are closing in on a multiyear contract that exceeds $10 million for 21-year-old wing Mohamed Diawara. The former 51st-overall pick turned a modest rookie season into a late-December spark, dropping 18 points in 18 minutes against New Orleans and hitting seven three-pointers. The deal would replace the $1.27 million salary he earned last year and keep him out of restricted free agency, giving the Knicks a rare option to lock up a player who earned coach Mike Brown’s trust before the trade deadline.
Diawara appeared in 69 games, averaging 3.6 points while shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc. His breakout performance on Dec. 29 demonstrated a shooting ability that belied his projected role as a G-League project. At 6-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he ranks among the better wing defenders on a squad that prizes length, providing a versatile two-way piece that fits Brown’s emphasis on spacing and switchable defense.
Defensively, Diawara’s length allows him to contest shots on the wing and provide help on the interior without sacrificing mobility. Offensively, his ability to knock down open threes forces opponents to respect the perimeter, opening lanes for Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson. Retaining him preserves a low-cost, high-upside wing that can slot into a rotation that otherwise leans heavily on veterans and unproven rookies.
In the postseason, his minutes dried up. He appeared in six games and shot 23 percent from three-point range, while Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson carried the bulk of the backup wing and guard minutes. The reduced role underscores the Knicks’ depth at the position but also highlights the upside of having a defensive anchor who can stretch the floor when called upon.
The contract talk arrives as the Knicks juggle a cluster of free agents. Landry Shamet, Mitchell Robinson and Jose Alvarado all approach unrestricted status on June 30, and Alvarado’s $4.5 million player option remains in question. Owner James Dolan has publicly pledged to avoid the second luxury-tax apron, a stance that clashes with the league-wide trend of paying up to retain core pieces after a championship. Front-office insider Bobby Marks summed up the dilemma: “I think there’s still a priority to re-sign your own free agents, even if it means exceeding the second apron.”
If Diawara signs before the June 30 deadline, the Knicks can then turn their attention to Shamet’s and Robinson’s contracts, a process that could force a trade or a luxury-tax hit if the organization chooses to stay under the second apron. Should the deal fall apart, New York risks losing a defensive anchor and a three-point threat that could be poached by a contender. The next few weeks will shape the Knicks’ roster and determine how far the franchise is willing to stretch its payroll to keep home-grown talent.
New York Knicks 
