After spending four years at college — two at both the University of Oregon and the University of Houston — it looked as though Daymean Dotson had done everything possible to merit a high selection in the 2017 NBA Draft.
His senior season at Houston saw him average 17.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.3 percent from beyond the arc. A First-Team All-AAC member, Dotson had the length and build to act as a prototypical two-guard at the highest level.
Yet, concerns over the collegiate competition he faced in The American, as well as a lack of diversity offensively caused him to fall late into the second round, where he was picked up by the Knicks.
The season prior to Dotson’s arrival saw New York finish the regular season with a dismal record of just 31-51. Most second-round picks don’t get much of a chance in the pros, but as another lost season wound down, the Knicks threw him out there for five April games. In 26.0 minutes a night, Dotson averaged 12.6 points, while shooting 34.8 percent from deep.
The games were meaningless, but the skills Dotson showed combined with the trust earned early in his sophomore campaign were enough to garner more playing time. He wound up with 27.5 minutes per game this past season and upped both his scoring and efficiency to 10.7 points hitting 36.8 percent of his 4.7 3-point attempts per night.
His defensive potential translated with quick feet and great size, creating an albeit small body of work that suggests he could become a valuable 3-and-D contributor down the line.
Due to where he was drafted, the Knicks have Dotson on the books for just $1.6 million next season before his contract expires. If he continues on his current trajectory, New York would be happy to reward him with a more lucrative contract.