Mohamed Diawara’s unexpected rise from low-cost signing to trusted rotation piece has turned his expiring $1.3 million deal into a key off-season question for the New York Knicks. The 6-9 wing, added last summer largely for cap flexibility, has become one of the franchise’s most productive draft choices since Miles McBride went 36th overall in 2021. Head coach Mike Brown cited Diawara’s “little things” that add up to greater confidence in giving him minutes.
Diawara, who has flashed occasional ball-handling and playmaking, said his long-term focus is “three-point shooting and defense,” skills he believes will keep him in the league. Although the 22-year-old will enter restricted free agency, early indications are that he will not command a large external market. The Knicks are expected to address his situation after resolving center Mitchell Robinson’s unrestricted free agency.
Celtics still without timetable for Tatum
Boston star Jayson Tatum has no definitive return date, but signs are trending upward. The forward recently completed a full 5-on-5 scrimmage with the Celtics’ G League affiliate, and teammate Jaylen Brown said, “He looks pretty damn good.” Tatum remains day-to-day while recovering, with the club monitoring his progress.
Nets rookies forming promising backcourt
Brooklyn first-year guard Nolan Traore believes the Nets may have located their backcourt of the future in the combination of himself and fellow rookie Egor Demin. “We complete each other, and we play great together,” Traore said, noting Demin’s perimeter shooting. Head coach Jordi Fernandez praised the pair but challenged them to increase their physicality. After an uneven start to the season, Traore is averaging 12.0 points and 4.8 assists while hitting 43.2 percent from beyond the arc over his past 12 games.
Hart accepts unlikely All-Star path
Knicks swingman Josh Hart, widely viewed as an emotional tone-setter, acknowledged that his style makes an All-Star selection improbable. “It’s not the glitz and the glamour,” Hart said, though he would welcome the honor if it came. New York is 29-14 with Hart in the lineup this season and 6-6 without him.
Source: Hoops Rumors
