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New York Knicks: Damyean Dotson’s surprise return creates questions

By Rob Wolkenbrod

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 05: Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks reacts in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 05: Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks reacts in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks will welcome back Damyean Dotson into the fold, but his return only complicates the team’s already full rotation.

After rehabbing a surgically repaired shoulder, the Damyean Dotson will join the New York Knicks for Wednesday’s preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks, per the New York Post’s Zach Braziller, after being expected to sit out the exhibition matchups. Kevin Knox, who did not play in Friday’s loss to the Washington Wizards, is also expected to suit up.

Dotson is the headline, though, joining an already packed rotation. Head coach David Fizdale used 10 players in the opener and 11 in the second game, so minutes distribution only becomes a greater issue, finding opportunities for everyone.

The problem: not everyone will have the chance to play each game, and the first players to suffer the brunt of the playing time crunch could become evident with the Hawks game.

Figure, if Fizdale wants to see a different look, Dotson will play; maybe not for long, especially off a torn labrum, but between 10-15 minutes is a realistic mark for his return.

The third-year man slides into the middle of the lineup, playing off the point guard or as a wing. He is also one of the few Knicks who bring familiarity, after starting 40 games in 2018-19, averaging 10.7 points and 3.6 rebounds on 41.5 percent shooting and 36.8 percent on three-pointers. A starting lineup spot is likely out of his hands, given RJ Barrett and Marcus Morris‘ presences, but a reserve role, limiting his exposure, is hardly a worst-case scenario.

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Imminent struggles would create doubt for Dotson’s standing, though, and not just for him. Almost anyone who plays poorly is at risk of losing minutes, and Fizdale has the depth to tinker with rotations if something does not work. So this “probable” return in the preseason is the Houston product’s opportunity to lose.

After that, it becomes bad news for Ignas Brazdeikis, who has just six minutes in two games. Fizdale said the second-round pick is a “work in progress,” per Marc Berman of the New York Post. If that sticks Wednesday night, he may watch “DNP-CD” spill into the regular season.

Taj Gibson, Frank Ntilikina and Allonzo Trier, each of whom played fewer than 20 minutes against Washington, are also candidates to lose time. The latter man has accumulated 23 minutes in two games, including seven in the opener, and the Frenchman has a returning Dennis Smith Jr. to contest.

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Two games remain to unpack the rotation conundrum for the regular season, and Dotson’s return only moves the New York Knicks further from a resolution. The team may be at full strength, but complications are ahead, even if they have a “healthy” label.

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