Knicks Select French Forward Mohamed Diawara No. 51 Overall

In the 2025 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks made a single selection, acquiring French power forward Mohamed Diawara with the 51st overall pick after trading down one spot with the Los Angeles Clippers. Diawara, a 20-year-old with four professional seasons in the French First Division, has a defensive reputation and international experience, including gold at the 2024 FIBA U-20 EuroBasket and bronze at the 2022 FIBA U-17 World Cup. The Knicks also obtained the draft rights to Luka Mitrovic, a 32-year-old Serbian player who has spent his career in Europe and whose rights have passed through several NBA teams. Diawara is expected to participate in the Las Vegas Summer League, though his contract status remains uncertain, with the possibility of being a draft-and-stash candidate to maintain the Knicks' salary cap flexibility. This modest draft move follows the Knicks trading away their first-round picks and losing a second-round pick due to a tampering penalty related to Jalen Brunson. The team continues to emphasize player development, with existing young talents like Pacome Dadiet, who has close ties to Diawara, and other second-round picks from recent years.