Former First-Round Pick Named Knicks Player With Most to Prove Next Season

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report recently named the one player on every team in the league with the most to prove next season, and reserve forward Pacome Dadiet was the pick for New York.

The Knicks selected Dadiet in the first round (25th overall) of the 2024 NBA Draft, but he’s appeared in just 47 regular season games and nine playoff games for the Knicks since being drafted.

“The defending champs know what they’re going to get from their entire rotation, and it’s not like the 32-year-old Andre Drummond, who’ll replace Mitchell Robinson at backup center, is some mysterious commodity. When you win the title, you’ve pretty much proved everything you can. One player who didn’t help much in that effort, though, and one who actually could fill a real need as a backup wing: Pacome Dadiet,” Hughes wrote.

“. . . It’s encouraging that Dadiet put up 23.1 points per game with Westchester last year, but he’ll have to be more efficient while making some kind of defensive impact if he’s going to carve out minutes with the big club. Fail to do so, and Dadiet could easily be off the team by the trade deadline.”

The Knicks are a deep team, but they could use some added depth on the perimeter, and that’s where Dadiet could potentially come in. If he can show that he’s able to consistently contribute, perhaps he could indeed carve out a role for himself next season. If not, the team could look to move on.

Pacome Dadiet Could End up on Trading Block With Slow Start to the Season

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 17: Forward Pacome Dadiet #4 of the New York Knicks in action during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on March 17, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks won 136-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

After a somewhat underwhelming performance in Summer League this year, Dadiet will enter the ’26-27 season with pressure to perform. It will be his third season in the league, and the Knicks will want him to develop into a player they can count on in the regular season rotation. If he’s unable to do that, the Knicks will be forced to consider moving on, though it’s fair to wonder what kind of return they could get for him in a potential trade.