3:21pm: Both deals run through the end of the season, confirms Fred Katz of The Athletic (Twitter link).
2:59pm: The Knicks have re-signed swingman DaQuan Jeffries and forward Mamadi Diakite, according to a pair of press releases from the club (Twitter links).
Jeffries and Diakite had been on 10-day contracts with New York, which expired over the weekend. Today’s announcements don’t provide any details on their new agreements, but Jeffries wasn’t eligible to sign another 10-day pact with the Knicks, and there’s no indication in the release that Diakite’s new deal is another 10-day.
Unless we hear otherwise, we’re assuming both players received rest-of-season commitments, filling New York’s two open roster spots and giving the team a full 15-man squad.
Jeffries spent much of the past two seasons under contract with the Knicks on various two-way, 10-day, and non-guaranteed deals. He didn’t play at all at the NBA level last season, but has seen a little action in 13 games in 2023/24, registering 11 points and five rebounds in 34 total minutes.
Diakite, meanwhile, appeared in three NBA games earlier this season while on a two-way deal with San Antonio and has also suited up for the Bucks, Thunder, and Cavaliers since making his NBA debut in 2021. He was waived by the Spurs on March 2, so he wouldn’t be eligible to play for the Knicks in the postseason if he signed a rest-of-season deal.
It’s possible one or both contracts include a non-guaranteed minimum salary for next season, giving New York some offseason roster flexibility, but that has yet to be confirmed one way or the other.
Assuming they both signed for the minimum, Jeffries will earn $261,293 for the rest of this season, while Diakite would make $252,525.
In Thibs we Trust ………
Of the three big injured players for the Knicks, Mitchell Robinson, as expected, is the closest to a return, Thibodeau indicated. The center, a full participant in a practice last week, “is moving quite well” and “just needs a little bit more time.” When a reporter asked if that meant Robinson would return before Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, Thibodeau said coyly, “Assuming your assumption is correct, yes.”
Mitch coming back before Julius and OG. Is unexpected news. I hope he’s not rushing it. Not many gms left now (12). Before the playoffs. I’d like to see everyone healthy and playing before playoffs. Stay focused ……