What happened: Mohamed Diawara and the Knicks are closing in on a reunion, with the 21-year-old wing progressing toward a multiyear deal worth more than $10 million. By agreeing to terms, Diawara would forgo restricted free agency, where New York could have matched any rival offer. Final numbers remain unsettled as the front office navigates a tight cap situation.

Why it matters: Diawara was a rookie surprise as the 51st overall pick, climbing from a projected G-League stash into Mike Brown's rotation by mid-December and earning real trust. Retaining him on a modest multiyear figure gives New York controllable depth on the wing as it weighs bigger decisions on Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet, both of whom can reach unrestricted free agency June 30. Owner James Dolan's stated reluctance to cross the second tax apron makes cost-effective depth like Diawara especially valuable.

What to watch: Watch whether the deal is finalized before the draft, where the Knicks hold the 24th, 31st and 55th picks. Decisions on Robinson, Shamet and Alvarado's player option loom by the end of the month.