{"id":158958,"date":"2025-09-13T22:10:42","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T02:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=158958"},"modified":"2025-09-13T22:10:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T02:10:42","slug":"update-knicks-plans-rookie-draft-pick-mohamed-diawara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/09\/13\/update-knicks-plans-rookie-draft-pick-mohamed-diawara\/","title":{"rendered":"Update On Knicks Plans For Rookie Draft Pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

It may come as a surprise but just because a college or international prospect is selected in the NBA Draft, it doesn’t mean that they’ll actually play in the NBA. As that relates to New York Knicks rookie Mohamed Diawara<\/a>, who was selected 51st overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-9 forward initially looked like he would either play 2025-26 on a two-way contract. The more time that passed, it even seemed feasible that he could become one of the league’s many draft-and-stash projects.<\/p>\n

However, whether that was always the plan, Diawara’s now expected to sign a standard rookie contract with the Knicks.<\/p>\n

Update On Knicks Plans For Rookie Draft Pick Mohamed Diawara<\/h2>\n

With the 2025-26 season almost upon them, New York has started to put the finishing touches on their final roster.<\/p>\n

Instead of shedding salary to sign<\/a> two-time All-Defensive selection Ben Simmons<\/a>, they’ve opted to sign<\/a> 2023 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon<\/a> instead. Interestingly, the Knicks added 2021 Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson<\/a> on a one-year contract<\/a> earlier in the offseason. They’ve also come to terms on a one-year agreement with 3-point specialist Landry Shamet<\/a> and a training camp deal with fellow marksman Garrison Mathews<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Apr 13, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) shoots the ball during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Signing Diawara to his rookie deal would be their final i<\/em> to dot (or, t<\/em> to cross).<\/p>\n

“As things currently stand, the Knicks have enough room under the second apron to keep a veteran free agent like Shamet, Brogdon, or Garrison Matthews and to sign a rookie to a minimum deal,” Begley reports (h\/t SNY_Knicks on X<\/em>).<\/p>\n

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More from @IanBegley<\/a> on where the Knicks stand after signing Malcolm Brogdon:<\/p>\n

“If the Knicks want to keep both Brogdon and Shamet, they will have to trade one of their own players to create the roster spot.<\/p>\n

Trading either Pac\u00f4me Dadiet or Miles McBride would clear enough cap\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/icg8H1jVei<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) September 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n