Sometimes, it’s the moves NBA teams don’t make that end up being the most important of all. The New York Knicks are somewhat quietly entering that territory with the Washington Wizards’ draft pick they own—almost entirely because of Mohamed Diawara and Landry Shamet.
Both Big Apple bargains are headed for free agency this summer. Thanks to the Gilbert Arenas Rule, as well as some deft handling of Shamet, the Knicks do not have to worry about losing either one of them. So long as they’re willing to pony up, they can re-sign both.
In doing so, though, New York will be venturing deeper into the second apron.