Mohamed Diawara’s rise into a steady role in the Knicks’ rotation has made his contract situation an important item for the team to address this offseason, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
The young forward has developed into a dependable bench contributor, particularly with his outside shooting, after signing a one-year, $1.3 million deal that will make him a restricted free agent this summer.
Bondy notes that since arriving in New York, Diawara has emerged as one of the franchise’s most successful draft finds in recent years, potentially the team’s best selection since Miles McBride was taken in the second round of the 2021 draft.
“There’s just a lot of little things when you see Mo play that make you go, ‘Oh my gosh, wow,’” coach Mike Brown said. “And all those things, when you add them up to a possible opportunity, it gives you more confidence as a coaching staff to throw him out there and say, ‘OK, let’s see what’s going to happen.’”
At 6-foot-9, Diawara has shown flashes of playmaking ability along with his scoring, but he understands the areas that will determine his long-term success in the league.
“Three-point shooting and defense,” he said. “Those are things that are going to make me stay in the league for the longest.”
Diawara’s restricted free agency decision will be an important offseason priority for the Knicks after addressing big man Mitchell Robinson’s future.
Mohamed Diawara may become an offseason priority for the Knicks, plus more from the Atlantic Division. https://t.co/d3vDihDfCV
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 16, 2026
