Knicks · Let's talk trade target Moussa Diabaté (page 1)

24yo. Upcoming UFA. Current contract: $2.5m. Extension eligible 2/8/27. One of the better offensive rebounders in the league. More PF than C but he can certainly do small ball C things for stretches. Fit next to KAT or at C with Mo/OG at PF? I don't know much more about his individual play.

I also don't know anything about current state of the Hornets. They were one of the best second half teams in the league and then just fluffed out right at the end, and then followed up that with a major trade of one of their centerpiece players who was also the engine behind a lot of what they did? That could be more about the player and his value at that junction of his career than the direction of the team but who knows.

Feels like an OG-like upcoming UFA opportunity target to me. Leon got a lot of work to do to acquire this guy but he just fits. Charlotte would never trade him? That sounds right, but also sounded right with LaMelo too, so who knows.

Knicks are very very close to locking up all the major parts for a window of 1-3+ years of flat out competing for a championship every year, except for the backup C spot. If I am Leon/Dolan, would I go all in this summer with Mitch and sign him to a 3 year deal or would I take the risk of trying to find that player who I could see being on the team for a longer term who is a better risk asset to eventually go over the second apron with? Do you go over the second apron now by resigning Mitch starting this year or finding a different player to go after and THEN sign that guy to a deal that would tip the scales either 1 or 2 years out when Brunson resigns?

2027, 2029, and 2031 first round picks belong to the Brooklyn Nets. Deuce is a super luxury and needs to be extended. Knicks have depth at PG with GTA, Kolek. No one knows what's up with Dadiet but he is still around for some reason.

I think that is the context. Up for other suggestions though cause I am sure Diabate is obviously not the only target backup C but he is a very enticing one.

Completely wild that Diabate was drafted one spot behind Trevor Keels https://www.basketball-reference.com/dra...

Charlotte does have gobs of cap space to resign Diabate.

The Knicks have a championship team.

Literally up to Diabate if $$$ or championship level team is his preference.

I am super intrigued w the guy because he has a nose for the ball and is bouncy. That said he seems like one of those guys who does well when people don’t pay enough attention to him rather than A “there’s no stopping him” like Mitch

I would be very disciplined and not overpay/ trade. Someone is going to shake free

martin wrote:Charlotte does have gobs of cap space to resign Diabate.

The Knicks have a championship team.

Literally up to Diabate if $$$ or championship level team is his preference.

What do you think the asking price for a guy like Diabate is? I thought this idea had been batted around and turned down. They clearly have a lot of big men and not a lot of guards. Do you see this as a Deuce / Diabate swap?

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:Charlotte does have gobs of cap space to resign Diabate.

The Knicks have a championship team.

Literally up to Diabate if $$$ or championship level team is his preference.

What do you think the asking price for a guy like Diabate is? I thought this idea had been batted around and turned down. They clearly have a lot of big men and not a lot of guards. Do you see this as a Deuce / Diabate swap?

I'd guess it's the same situation as OG was in. First you need to convince the player that your team is best for him. This obviously would need to be back channeled through his agent. When you are talking to his agent, you need to also understand what contract demands would be, cause obviously if he just wants max money regardless of team, it's a no-go. Then you need to convince Diabate/agent to convince his current team that he will not resign. Charlotte could also just trade Diabate at that point to a 3rd team, so it's delicate? And then the Knicks would need to figure out a trade package that works for Charlotte. And then extend Diabate right there, thereby going over second apron, or wait til he is an UFA and be nervous you won't lose him for nothing.

This would be a crowning moment for Leon and it's ungodly difficult. But that's his job.

The move would be straight up for Duece, who gives them a starting point guard. Duece deserves to be a starter and to be paid like one.

I've been trying to rehash the Mitch decision in hindsight and landed on that I think it's the right one given all the factors. His extension is for 3 years. If it was for 1 year to keep the band together, maybe things are different.

But what type of reasonable FO signs a guy to a 3 year deal when the previous 3 years of service (not current past year) included games played of: 59, 31, 17 while knowing he will auto miss 20+ games a season for load management. He punched something just before the finals; perhaps everyone would react the same way in the moment. Mitch was noticeably fatigued in moments during the playoffs. He will miss 25% of games during a normal, healthy season, if he gets to that point; Knicks medical staff knows 100% of the drill and what it takes to keep Frankenstein going.

Is it an emotional decision to keep him or the right decision to not resign Mitch to a 3 year deal? Boston thought it was the right decision, but they have a different cap situation, different roster situation, and different expectations on the season. And they have the added benefit of taking something away from their top opponent. They got Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Mitch and are still $20M below the second apron and could grab a 4th center later on. That's an insulated environment to sign someone like Mitch, the Knicks do not have that luxury.

Bottom line: if you are going over the second apron and paying ungodly amounts of tax money and also adding a ton of trade restrictions, is Mitch - who will only play 60 games max, possibly overtaxes your med staff, and is constantly either out of shape or only playing 15MPG - really worth it over the course of a 3 year deal?

TLover wrote:The move would be straight up for Duece, who gives them a starting point guard. Duece deserves to be a starter and to be paid like one.

When does Deuce learn to dribble and pass if he is your PG though? He definitely deserves the chance to start as a small POA SG next to a big PG. Coby White could be that guy. I thought next to someone like Dejounte Murray in NO would work too.

martin wrote:I've been trying to rehash the Mitch decision in hindsight and landed on that I think it's the right one given all the factors. His extension is for 3 years. If it was for 1 year to keep the band together, maybe things are different.

But what type of reasonable FO signs a guy to a 3 year deal when the previous 3 years of service (not current past year) included games played of: 59, 31, 17 while knowing he will auto miss 20+ games a season for load management. He punched something just before the finals; perhaps everyone would react the same way in the moment. Mitch was noticeably fatigued in moments during the playoffs. He will miss 25% of games during a normal, healthy season, if he gets to that point; Knicks medical staff knows 100% of the drill and what it takes to keep Frankenstein going.

Is it an emotional decision to keep him or the right decision to not resign Mitch to a 3 year deal? Boston thought it was the right decision, but they have a different cap situation, different roster situation, and different expectations on the season. And they have the added benefit of taking something away from their top opponent. They got Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Mitch and are still $20M below the second apron and could grab a 4th center later on. That's an insulated environment to sign someone like Mitch, the Knicks do not have that luxury.

Bottom line: if you are going over the second apron and paying ungodly amounts of tax money and also adding a ton of trade restrictions, is Mitch - who will only play 60 games max, possibly overtaxes your med staff, and is constantly either out of shape or only playing 15MPG - really worth it over the course of a 3 year deal?

Sometimes the right decision looks bad on paper. As a huge fan of MitchBeast, I do recognize this FT% is terrible, his hands turn to stone off bounce passes and he struggles to stay on the court health wise. THAT SAID, he abuses other big men for offensive rebounds and is a plus-minus monster - all with near zero offensive game.

Real question for me is who on our team is gonna box him out?

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:I've been trying to rehash the Mitch decision in hindsight and landed on that I think it's the right one given all the factors. His extension is for 3 years. If it was for 1 year to keep the band together, maybe things are different.

But what type of reasonable FO signs a guy to a 3 year deal when the previous 3 years of service (not current past year) included games played of: 59, 31, 17 while knowing he will auto miss 20+ games a season for load management. He punched something just before the finals; perhaps everyone would react the same way in the moment. Mitch was noticeably fatigued in moments during the playoffs. He will miss 25% of games during a normal, healthy season, if he gets to that point; Knicks medical staff knows 100% of the drill and what it takes to keep Frankenstein going.

Is it an emotional decision to keep him or the right decision to not resign Mitch to a 3 year deal? Boston thought it was the right decision, but they have a different cap situation, different roster situation, and different expectations on the season. And they have the added benefit of taking something away from their top opponent. They got Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Mitch and are still $20M below the second apron and could grab a 4th center later on. That's an insulated environment to sign someone like Mitch, the Knicks do not have that luxury.

Bottom line: if you are going over the second apron and paying ungodly amounts of tax money and also adding a ton of trade restrictions, is Mitch - who will only play 60 games max, possibly overtaxes your med staff, and is constantly either out of shape or only playing 15MPG - really worth it over the course of a 3 year deal?

Sometimes the right decision looks bad on paper. As a huge fan of MitchBeast, I do recognize this FT% is terrible, his hands turn to stone off bounce passes and he struggles to stay on the court health wise. THAT SAID, he abuses other big men for offensive rebounds and is a plus-minus monster - all with near zero offensive game.

Real question for me is who on our team is gonna box him out?

I don't wish it on him, but I can easily see him suffering another season ending or retirement type injury before that contract is out.

CLT just traded for Schroeder. He is a tradidional PG.
Moussa was their starting 5 last year. Naz is a very good PF. Moussa would be fine next to him.

Nalod wrote:CLT just traded for Schroeder. He is a tradidional PG.
Moussa was their starting 5 last year. Naz is a very good PF. Moussa would be fine next to him.

Kind of have to look at the rest of the depth chart. They have Steinbach and Kalkbrenner at C and Reid at PF. Which is fine. They don’t need to trade him. But they also have Royce O’Neal, Grant Williams and DFS at PF. I would describe them at PF/C heavy.

At guards they have Kon Knueppel, Coby White, Grayson Allen and Schroeder. And Schroeder got absolutely exposed in the playoffs.

Trading a PF/C like Diabate for a SG2 like Deuce shores them up a bit. Makes sense. Unless they are waiving a PF instead.

EwingsGlass wrote:

Nalod wrote:CLT just traded for Schroeder. He is a tradidional PG.
Moussa was their starting 5 last year. Naz is a very good PF. Moussa would be fine next to him.

Kind of have to look at the rest of the depth chart. They have Steinbach and Kalkbrenner at C and Reid at PF. Which is fine. They don’t need to trade him. But they also have Royce O’Neal, Grant Williams and DFS at PF. I would describe them at PF/C heavy.

At guards they have Kon Knueppel, Coby White, Grayson Allen and Schroeder. And Schroeder got absolutely exposed in the playoffs.

Trading a PF/C like Diabate for a SG2 like Deuce shores them up a bit. Makes sense. Unless they are waiving a PF instead.

Charlotte FO seems really good. Navigated LaMelo and his injuries and whatnot. Navigated and trades Miles Bridges not too badly? That one IDK. They got a lot of interesting young guys, and lots of overlapping players.

What’s next for them?

I’d happily take him, but a little concerned about his size, his price and his free agent status. Also think Drummond is the true backup for the year, and adding a center now is more of a security blanket at this point. Matkovic from new oleans really interests me. He’s a third string with ability to grow into a true backup in time. I really just don’t want to trade anything of real value for Diabate, which will be required if he’s ever available.

Cha has a decent set of bets. Can Coby White emerge? Is Brandon Miller real? Does Kon Kneuppel have enough D to make him effective.

They basically surrounded that trio with role players and have a year before they have Miller in RFA. A year to prove he is a max player.

I’m not sure what they have in Steinbach, Kalkbrenner or Diabate, but between the expirings and such, they can keep a core of

White/Kneuppel/Miller/Reid/Steinbach/Kalkbrenner/Diabate together for 3 or 4 years. And they can dump B tier role players and picks for useful parts.

We’ll see. I think they have lower upside than the Hawks. But well positioned to grow as a team.

EwingsGlass wrote:Cha has a decent set of bets. Can Coby White emerge? Is Brandon Miller real? Does Kon Kneuppel have enough D to make him effective.

They basically surrounded that trio with role players and have a year before they have Miller in RFA. A year to prove he is a max player.

I’m not sure what they have in Steinbach, Kalkbrenner or Diabate, but between the expirings and such, they can keep a core of

White/Kneuppel/Miller/Reid/Steinbach/Kalkbrenner/Diabate together for 3 or 4 years. And they can dump B tier role players and picks for useful parts.

We’ll see. I think they have lower upside than the Hawks. But well positioned to grow as a team.

good take, rooted in reality. They had a very exciting season last year and able to move Lamelo after perhaps his best season matching his lone all star season at age 20. He is now has 6 seasons in the NBA. His maturity issues on and off the court are not massive but of some concern. Of 492 games he has played 303, missing 189 games. His slight build offers quickness but durablity has not proven to be up to a contract that still pays him $130mil over the next 3 years. He is fun to watch but also infuriating with bone head mistakes. Perhaps they take step back from last year but it opens up better financial options going forward. Its also a good move for Lamelo as he gets to play with Edwards in a secondary role and improve decision making.

Kon and Brandon Miller are young and very good players. With Lamelo gone there is more sunshine for these young sprouts to grow.
The east is improved and perhaps record wise they take. step back. Miles Bridges is also gone. He was due a contract and perhaps he has reformed to earn a long term deal and a fresh start in PHX. Brandon MIllers start was not exactly clean as he had some legal troubles himself with a gun he owned used in a fatal shooting. He was not charged but somtimes its about the company you keep.

Solid pick up in Coby White and schroeder for the money. Can't say what Moussa and his agent are angling for regarding a contract or what CLT wants to see. He started 47 games last year. One would do well to extract those as a sample to evaluate. This was a good opportunity for him but I have not taken the time to look at it. The kid is athletic with limited offensive game. Yes, could be a nice alt to Mitch and I'd trade him straight up for Deuce given our needs but thats one sided. Lamelo is gone but their offense is built with shooters and they have that. Deuce is not really needed there.

TLover wrote:The move would be straight up for Duece, who gives them a starting point guard. Duece deserves to be a starter and to be paid like one.

Would do that trade in a heartbeat. But would the Hornets?

Knixkik wrote:I’d happily take him, but a little concerned about his size, his price and his free agent status. Also think Drummond is the true backup for the year, and adding a center now is more of a security blanket at this point. Matkovic from new oleans really interests me. He’s a third string with ability to grow into a true backup in time. I really just don’t want to trade anything of real value for Diabate, which will be required if he’s ever available.

Unless Drummond gets in shape Rose will be looking to replace him. He’s only 32 and 5-6 years ago was maybe the best defensive C in the league but last season he looked as mobile as Mitch McConnell

Philc1 wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I’d happily take him, but a little concerned about his size, his price and his free agent status. Also think Drummond is the true backup for the year, and adding a center now is more of a security blanket at this point. Matkovic from new oleans really interests me. He’s a third string with ability to grow into a true backup in time. I really just don’t want to trade anything of real value for Diabate, which will be required if he’s ever available.

Unless Drummond gets in shape Rose will be looking to replace him. He’s only 32 and 5-6 years ago was maybe the best defensive C in the league but last season he looked as mobile as Mitch McConnell

I agree. Drummond is short term. But for now he’s the backup C and Knicks aren’t trying to replace him in that role yet.