Hold up, did we all just catch our breath from the absolute madness of the NBA Finals? Because the defending champion Knicks are back on our screens already! It’s only been 27 days since they hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy in San Antonio, but tonight, they’re kicking off a five-game Summer League run in Las Vegas against the Brooklyn Nets. Crazy, right?
Summer League, Championship Edition
Okay, so it's not the full squad, obviously. We're talking three-quarters of one roster and zero rotation players on the other, which is just the state of these two rival franchises right now. Still, you gotta look for the sparks, right? The Knicks might be a win-now team, with not a ton of young depth even eligible for this, but there's always something to keep an eye on. Like Jack Kayil, the No. 39 overall pick, who just got added to the roster this week after sorting out his contract overseas. But really, there's one guy everyone's buzzing about.The Mo Diawara Showdown
Mohamed Diawara, that's the name. This dude has the best shot on the team to become a main contributor for the defending champs. You don't just give a restricted free agent a four-year deal if you're not serious about him, you know? This isn't going to be some solo show where he's running everything like a "Tyler Kolek-esque summer offense" or anything, but trust that Diawara is gonna get a ton more on-ball opportunities. He's working on his shot creation, playmaking, and that three-point shooting, all stuff he totally flashed in an impressive rookie year.Slicing Through the Defense
But what does he *really* need to nail down? For me, it's slashing. Big time. He got played off the floor midway through his rookie year when things were heating up because his shot wasn't automatic and he just couldn't consistently attack those gaps in the defense's ghost coverage. Think about Josh Hart, that guy stays playable because he *can* do that. Diawara didn't dunk much, and his touch around the rim was suspect in limited action last season. He's got that incredible size and length, though, which means he's got the potential to be even better than Hart. If he can just start doing those Hart-like things, it's gonna help him carve out a role, especially as a connector and situational wing for this championship squad. So yeah, the Summer League just kicked off for the champs, and while it's early, keeping an eye on Diawara's slashing and rim attack is key. If he can figure that out, this guy could be a serious problem for the rest of the league. Get ready, because the orange and blue are back!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.