As the New York Knicks gear up for a potential shake-up in their lineup, the looming departure of Mitchell Robinson in free agency has them scanning both the free agency pool and trade market for a suitable replacement. Robinson's prowess in offensive rebounding and his formidable rim protection were instrumental in the Knicks' championship triumph last season. Replacing such a key player is no small task, but there’s a name that stands out as a potential fit: Moussa Diabate.
Currently with the Charlotte Hornets, Diabate has shown promise as a player who could step into the Knicks' system effectively. While no trade is set in stone, the Hornets' recent moves-trading away LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges-suggest that they might be open to discussions involving Diabate. With one year left on his contract and a manageable $2.4 million cap hit, Diabate is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2027 offseason, making him an intriguing trade target.
Last season, Diabate started 47 games for the Hornets, averaging 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. His presence in the starting lineup was a boon for Charlotte, who went 31-16 with him as their full-time center from December 23 onward. Standing at 6’10”, Diabate is a versatile big man known for his defensive prowess and rebounding skills, with enough offensive capability to keep defenses honest.
Should the Knicks pull the trigger on a trade, Diabate would likely bolster their bench rather than start, given Karl-Anthony Towns' lock on the starting center position. His athleticism would be a welcome addition to a Knicks bench that lacked frontcourt dynamism last season.
Acquiring Diabate might require the Knicks to part with a valuable asset, particularly as they navigate the complexities of the salary cap. Pacome Dadiet could be a potential trade chip, along with some of the second-round draft capital they acquired in this year’s NBA Draft.
While Diabate is just one of many potential targets, his skill set and contract situation make him a compelling option for a Knicks team eager to defend their championship title next season. If the pieces fall into place, Diabate could find himself playing a pivotal role in New York's quest for back-to-back titles.
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Now his future is suddenly up in the air, with New York leaving him in restricted free agency and signaling that it may be weighing other answers behind Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks could still bring Hukporti back if the market is quiet enough, but for now the sense is that the front office is looking around for a different backup option and keeping its plans fluid. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks May Already Have A Fallback Plan If Their Center Walks
The Knicks center situation could take a familiar turn in free agency, with the possibility of Mitchell Robinson becoming too expensive to retain if salary-cap realities get tight. Brooklyns interest in Robinson adds another wrinkle, and it has already pushed New York to think about a veteran backup plan if the market moves faster than expected.
Brook Lopez is the name that keeps surfacing in that conversation, though his path to availability still depends on what happens with his current team option. Even after a season in which some of his production dipped, Lopez would give New York a proven interior presence and a stretch-big skill set that could let the club manage his workload rather than lean on him for heavy minutes. [Read more 🡒]
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Mitchell Robinsons future is already uncertain, so the Knicks are hardly operating with much clarity at the position. With that backdrop, it is no surprise they are being linked to veteran possibilities such as Kevon Looney and Jock Landale, the kind of pragmatic names that suggest the team is trying to preserve flexibility while still finding someone reliable enough to stabilize the frontcourt. [Read more 🡒]