New York Knicks: Five potential trade destinations for Damyean Dotson
If the New York Knicks trade Damyean Dotson, who makes sense as a potential suitor?
The New York Knicks have rarely used Damyean Dotson over the past two weeks. Once a starter and maybe the team’s most consistent player, he drifted to the end of the bench once Mario Hezonja entered the starting lineup and when Trey Burke‘s scoring spiked.
With this, and Dotson’s unguaranteed contract for 2019-20, the Knicks have received calls on his availability, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Two teams showed interest.
Of course, head coach David Fizdale used him in Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, but that doesn’t mean something won’t happen.
Hypothetically, which teams make sense for Dotson, pending the Knicks choose to take offers?
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers sound like an odd fit. They have a full roster of veterans with nearly untradeable contracts and probably won’t be in the market for a roster addition. However, if the front office wants to start changing the culture and take a chance on a cheap young player, Dotson is an option.
On his unguaranteed deal for 2019-20, Dotson can make $1.6 million. That’s pennies for a Cavaliers roster that has eight figures tied up in Jordan Clarkson, JR Smith, Larry Nance Jr., Kevin Love, Tristian Thompson and George Hill.
As Cleveland tries to cut cap space, potentially starting with Smith in the post-LeBron James era, they will need cheap players to assume roster spots. That can happen with G-League players, but Dotson offers experience and has flashed enough to warrant a role on someone’s bench, rather than someone without an NBA game played.
To pull this off, the New York Knicks may have to take another contract back, as the Cavaliers have no available space. Channing Frye, who can’t be traded until Dec. 15, is an option on $1.5 million. He could be waived afterward.
The Cavs can take a chance on a young player in this scenario. Their roster is clogged, for now, but it’s an option for later this season if they want to try something different.