The New York Knicks just won their first NBA Finals in 53 years, and they’re not taking any time off. The team announced Monday they’re bringing back restricted free agent Mohamed Diawara on a multi-year contract worth north of $10 million, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Diawara is only 21, a forward who spent last season mostly on the bench or in the G League. But the Knicks clearly see something worth investing in — a project player with length and athleticism who fits their timeline. They’ll get to continue developing him now that the playoff run is over.
The deal hasn’t been officially confirmed by the team in terms of exact numbers, but reports from Charania and ClutchPoints NBA peg it at over $10 million total. That’s not a max contract by any means, but it’s real money for a guy who hasn’t cracked the regular rotation yet.
Why This Makes Sense for New York
Winning a title usually means you have to pay your core guys or risk losing depth. The Knicks are trying to thread that needle by locking up Diawara before he hits the open market or gets a bigger offer sheet from another team. He’s a restricted free agent, meaning New York could match any offer, but they chose to negotiate directly instead of waiting for a bidding war. Smart move if you believe in the kid’s upside.
There’s also the chemistry factor. Diawara has been around the team for two seasons now, knows the system, and reportedly gets along with the locker room. After a long championship run, continuity matters more than some teams admit.
What’s Next for the Knicks?
This deal probably won’t be the last move of the offseason for New York. They still have other free agents to sort out, and the front office is known for being aggressive. But for now, Diawara is locked in, and that’s a small but solid piece of the puzzle.
No word yet on exactly how many years the deal covers or if there are options involved. Those details usually leak out within a few days. But the headline is clear: One of the Knicks’ youngest guys is staying put.
Leave a Comment