The small forward is staying in New York.
With their historic championship now behind them, the offseason is underway for the New York Knicks and it's time for them to address their own roster needs in the hope of building on their championship season.
The first step in that process, it seems, it to re-sign one of the newest Knicks to a long-term deal.
Per a report from EPSN's Shams Charania, Mohamaed Diawara intends to sign a multiyear deal with a total salary in the $10 million range. Diawara was picked 51st-overall by the Knicks in the 2025 Draft and played this past season on a standard contract making $1.8 million.
With that deal now expired, Diawara is a restricted free agent and bringing him back for next season is an admittedly small step in strengthening the Knicks roster, but it is still a meaningful move that bring back at least one member of the championship-winning team.
Diawara's Season
Diawara had a small role with the Knicks this season, playing just 9.2 minutes per game and averaging 3.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. He had a similarly small role in the playoffs, playing just over seven minutes per game, but he still represents one of many small parts that any team needs on their roster.
New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara (51) dribbles up court during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesWith Knicks owner James Dolan's recent statement that he won't be going into the second apron with New York's payroll, holding on to the small pieces like Diawara becomes even more important when it isn't certain what other more significant players that are current free agents will be returning to New York.
More Work to Do
With Diawara taken care of, the Knicks have nine other players from this past season's roster that are free agents, either in universal or restricted free agency or in Jose Alvarado's case, should he decline a player option.
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown watches game action as forward Mohamed Diawara (51) reacts during the second half at Intuit Dome. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesAlvarado, Michel Robinson, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson are among some of the most significant players eligible for free agency this offseason and it's unknown how many of them will be returning or what kind of contracts each of them would warrant, so the Knicks do have a good deal of uncertainty ahead of them.
By signing Diawara and doing it so early in the offseason, the Knicks are able to check off at least one of their boxes and ensure that a player with the potential to grow with even more opportunity and responsibility on the court stays with the team for the longterm.
