The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers took advantage of the Non-Bird exception to retain two restricted free agents who impressed during their rookie campaigns in the 2025/26 season.
According to Hoops Rumors, Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara and Clippers guard Kobe Sanders each signed identical four-year contracts that begin with a $2,622,139 salary in the first season.
That amount equals 120% of the league minimum salary, the highest starting salary permitted for teams using Non-Bird rights.
Diawara and Sanders not only share the same opening-year salary, but their contracts are structured almost exactly alike over the next four years.
Each agreement includes two fully guaranteed seasons, a non-guaranteed third year, and a team option for the fourth season.
As a result, both deals carry an identical total value of $11,279,212.
Contract Details: Diawara, Sanders, Shamet, Alvarado, Oubre, More https://t.co/9RcWjLdoTg
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 8, 2026
