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, 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.
However, whether that was always the plan, Diawara’s now expected to sign a standard rookie contract with the Knicks.
Update On Knicks Plans For Rookie Draft Pick Mohamed Diawara
With the 2025-26 season almost upon them, New York has started to put the finishing touches on their final roster.
Instead of shedding salary to sign two-time All-Defensive selection Ben Simmons, they’ve opted to sign 2023 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon instead. Interestingly, the Knicks added 2021 Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson on a one-year contract earlier in the offseason. They’ve also come to terms on a one-year agreement with 3-point specialist Landry Shamet and a training camp deal with fellow marksman Garrison Mathews.
Signing Diawara to his rookie deal would be their final i to dot (or, t to cross).
“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).
More from @IanBegley on where the Knicks stand after signing Malcolm Brogdon:
“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.
Trading either Pacôme Dadiet or Miles McBride would clear enough cap… pic.twitter.com/icg8H1jVei
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) September 12, 2025
“The rookie needs to have been drafted by the Knicks. So the plan heading into camp is for New York to sign Mohamed Diawara to that rookie deal.”
Mohamed Diawara Scouting Report
As a late second-round pick who played overseas, Diawara isn’t really what people would call a known commodity. Furthermore, the 20-year-old didn’t really get significant playing time until 2024-25, his first season averaging 10+ minutes per game. Across 27 contests for Cholet, he averaged 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.6 steals in 19.6 minutes per game, shooting 38.3 percent from the field and 31.0 percent from 3.
At this point in his basketball journey, he’s far more of an NBA body than an NBA player. To that point, he not only has a 6-foot-9 frame but a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot-2 standing reach. With his burst and agility, he figures to be a potential weapon at the defensive end.
However, though his jumper needs refinement, Diawara’s footwork and shooting mechanics are generally sound. His feet and shoulders are squared. He doesn’t waste movement. He shoots confidently. Furthermore, though he needs to become a better ball-handler, he has intriguing scoring instincts.
At minimum, the Frenchman figures to be a weapon in transition and off-ball. His defensive potential can’t be brushed aside either. Nevertheless, there’s some distance between where he is right now and where he needs to be.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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