The Knicks have been hunting for a backup center all summer, and one name keeps floating to the top: Moussa Diabate.
Charlotte’s big man has reportedly been on New York’s radar as a possible answer behind Mitchell Robinson, and it’s easy to see why the Knicks would be interested. Diabate fits the kind of rotation role New York has been trying to fill. The problem is getting him out of Charlotte has not been simple.
The Knicks have been trying to move Pacome Dadiet’s $2.9 million contract as part of their roster work, and that effort reportedly included talks with the Hornets for Diabate. But, according to the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, the deal never got traction. Bondy wrote:
“Dadiet has no value… The Knicks would need to attach draft capital to get rid of his expiring contract…Tried to trade for Hornets C Moussa Diabate in the offseason, but according to a source, the Hornets didn’t want Dadiet.”
That leaves New York looking for a more appealing package, and the suggested framework is straightforward: Charlotte would receive Miles McBride and a 2030 first-round pick swap.
If the Hornets weren’t interested in Dadiet, McBride is the more realistic chip. His $3.9 million salary gives Charlotte a better reason to listen, and the fit is at least worth considering for a team that is reshaping its roster around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are gone, and Charlotte’s backcourt currently features Knueppel and Coby White, with White handling the point. Dennis Schroder and Pat Connaughton provide depth off the bench.
That’s a workable group, but if the Hornets want to push toward the playoffs, McBride brings something useful.
He doesn’t offer much as a playmaker, but he does bring three-point shooting, hustle, and a disruptive defensive edge. Last season, McBride was a key part of the Knicks’ NBA title run, putting up 12.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 41.3% from deep.
The box score matters, but his value went well beyond it. He was one of those guards who changed possessions with effort plays.
For the Knicks, the appeal is different. McBride matters to them, but the contract situation makes this tricky. With an extension next year looking uncertain, New York may decide that moving him now is better than risking a tougher decision later.
In return, the Knicks would land a young center who checks a lot of boxes for what they need. Diabate is already known for his athleticism, physical tools, and nonstop motor.
He won the NBA Hustle Award last season, which fits the way he plays. His offense is still developing, but the defensive impact is real, and his rebounding stands out most of all.
He averaged 3.7 offensive rebounds per game, putting him among the league’s best at creating second chances.
Diabate finished the 2025-26 season with averages of 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 63.1% from the field. At 6’10”, he gives New York a lob threat and rim protection, and on paper he looks like a clean replacement for Robinson.
Financially, the deal would help too. Diabate’s $2.4 million cap hit would let the Knicks trim nearly $1.4 million off the books by moving McBride, giving them about $4.6 million in space below the second apron. That kind of flexibility matters as New York works to finish its 15-man roster before the deadline.
The one thing this trade would not solve is Dadiet. He would still be on the roster, and the Knicks would still need to find a way to move his $2.9 million contract. Because his trade value is so limited, the return may only be draft compensation, possibly one or two second-round picks at best.
That would at least clear a roster spot, and it could open the door for New York to add someone like Bruce Brown or Ochai Agbaji on a minimum deal. But until another team is willing to take Dadiet’s contract, the Knicks are stuck waiting.
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