Head coach Mike Brown believes rookie Pacome Dadiet has elite defensive potential, but the New York Knicks’ win-now mindset could limit his development time.
New New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown has wasted no time evaluating his young roster — and one player who continues to pique his interest is rookie Pacome Dadiet.
When Brown speaks about the French prospect, there’s a clear sense of enthusiasm tempered by realism.
He sees the potential for Dadiet to become a defensive difference-maker, but he also recognizes that developing those skills will require time and patience — two things the win-now Knicks might not have much of this season.
A Glimpse of Defensive Promise
During the preseason, Brown highlighted one particular play that encapsulated why the Knicks are intrigued by Dadiet’s upside.
“We emphasize offensive rebounding, and he had a beautiful crash of the glass,” Brown said. “He’s long, he’s athletic. He went up, got the ball, and he sprayed it, and we ended up knocking down a three.”
It was a brief sequence, but one that showed Dadiet’s length, timing, and effort — the kind of traits that could make him a high-level defender in the NBA.
Brown expanded on that potential, noting that the 20-year-old’s physical gifts could translate into elite impact on the defensive end.
“He could be a monster defensively,” Brown added. “He’s just got to play with a sense of urgency defensively and awareness every single possession.”
The Challenge: Awareness and Consistency
For all of Dadiet’s athletic tools, Brown made it clear that the biggest hurdle is mental focus.
The French guard’s challenge lies in staying locked in throughout every defensive possession — tracking assignments, reading rotations, and maintaining intensity.
While Brown praised Dadiet’s natural instincts and fluid movement, he acknowledged that the rookie can sometimes lose concentration, allowing opposing players to exploit gaps.
That’s the kind of inconsistency that’s common among young players, but on a championship-contending roster like the Knicks, patience for such mistakes can be limited.
A Tough Fit in a Win-Now Environment
The Knicks’ 2025-26 roster is built to win now, led by stars Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
This leaves little room for extended on-court development, especially with veterans like Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet fighting for rotation minutes.
Dadiet’s long-term ceiling remains high, but his short-term path to meaningful minutes is murky.
For Mike Brown, that presents a delicate balance — nurturing potential without disrupting a team chasing a title.
The Bottom Line: Talent Meets Timing
Mike Brown’s belief in Dadiet’s defensive upside is genuine — and warranted. The 6’8” rookie has the physical tools and flashes of awareness that coaches dream of molding.
But in a season where every possession matters and every game counts, the Knicks might not have the luxury of waiting for his growth to fully take shape.
If Dadiet can prove he can bring consistent energy and defensive intensity off the bench, he could force Brown’s hand and carve out a role.
Otherwise, his development may have to take place behind the scenes — or perhaps in a different uniform if trade rumors become reality.
