​Less than a month after clinching the NBA title, the Knicks will hit the court again, at least in part, as several team members participate in Summer League. New York’s Summer League roster includes roster players Mohamed Diawara, Dillon Jones, and Pacome Dadiet, giving the organization a chance to evaluate younger talent and consider potential invitations to training camp and the G-League. The Knicks open Summer League on Friday night with a game against the Nets, and four players to watch during the July exhibition slate are worth tracking.
Diawara was one of the season’s bright surprises. A late second-round pick, the 6-foot-9 forward earned minutes in New York’s rotation at times and demonstrated flashes on both ends. With a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he can guard multiple positions and cover substantial ground in help defense. Offensively, Diawara shows potential as a ball-handler and a capable passer, and he has proven to be a better shooter than expected, hitting 36.9 percent of his 130 three-point attempts last season. Many of those looks came with him open, indicating there’s still room to command more respect from defenses. Nevertheless, the indicators were strong enough for the Knicks to sign him to a multi-year deal this offseason. Summer League will be an opportunity for Diawara to demonstrate that he can take on a larger role, contribute as a scorer, and act as a secondary playmaker.
Dadiet will be entering his third Summer League, with development to monitor. A 2024 first-round pick, the wing is nearly 21 years old and has logged limited time across two seasons, recording just 136 minutes in his second year. He did show promise in the G-League, averaging 23.2 points on 46.6 percent shooting in 15 games for Westchester, but he still needs progress as a perimeter shooter, ball-handler, and passer. The Knicks already feature three wings—OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart—who consume significant minutes, and Diawara’s progress has even pushed Dadiet down the depth chart. The decision on Dadiet’s fourth-year team option on his rookie-scale deal will likely come around training camp, making this a crucial stretch for him to leave a strong impression before that crossroads is reached.
Nickel, selected 47th overall in this year’s draft, arrives with a standout skill: elite shooting. The 6-foot-6 guard is known for a lightning-quick release, and he was a prolific shooter over his final two seasons at Vanderbilt, connecting on 191 of 475 three-point attempts (40.2 percent). His ability to move efficiently off the ball also stands out, adding another dimension to his scoring threat. Nickel’s shooting prowess gives him a clear pathway to carving out a role in the NBA, provided he can translate his college success to the professional level and continue to develop his off-ball movement and spacing.
In short, the Knicks’ Summer League agenda centers on Diawara’s potential to shoulder a larger role and improve as a scorer and secondary creator; watching Dadiet’s continued development for signs of breakout potential before any contract decisions loom; and evaluating Nickel’s shooting and off-ball movement to determine how his college pedigree translates at the next level. The July games will serve as a crucial testing ground for these young players as New York weighs its options heading into training camp and beyond.