Knicks Draft: Why Devon Dotson is an intriguing second round option

Should the New York Knicks consider adding another Dotson to their roster in Kansas stand-out Devon Dotson?

When talks about what the New York Knicks should do in the 2020 NBA Draft arise, attention immediately diverts to the team’s first round selections, and their need for more young promising talent. Because of this, it is often put aside that the Knicks have a second round pick as well, a selection the team could use on a player that’s been overlooked by the majority of the league.

And that player is Kansas guard Devon Dotson – no relation to current Knick Damyean Dotson. The 6-foot-2 guard is a player that was key to the success of the Jayhawks this year, as well as someone who could be a good contributor for the Knicks off the bench in the 2020-2021 season.

We already know the Knicks are interested in finding a point guard in this year’s draft, perhaps they can locate one in the second round.

Why Devon Dotson is an intriguing option for the New York Knicks

In almost 35 minutes per game, Dotson averaged 18.1 points, 4.0 assists, 4.1 rebounds, along with two steals. Devon also shot 47% from the field, a percentage which would benefit the orange and blue who were 24th in the league in FG percentage this season. Finally, the Kansas product shot 83% from the free throw line, another category in which the Knicks need improvement.

New York has plenty of question marks to answer before entering next season. A lot of Knicks bench pieces, including Damyean Dotson (RFA) and Allonzo Trier (RFA), could potentially hit the free agency market this summer. If any of these guards sign elsewhere, it would leave an opening for Devon Dotson to step right in and possibly contribute.

Now, it also must be taken into account that New York’s most recent second round selection, Ignas Brazdeikis, did not play any meaningful minutes in the Knicks’ 66 games played so far this year. However, that was due to the influx of role players the team saw enter the bench, leaving the front office with no choice but to restrict the Michigan product to a G-League role.

The coronavirus pandemic could create a cold free agent market this offseason, which could provide an entry way for young, cost-effective players like Dotson and Brazdeikis to have significant roles on a rebuilding roster.

With that being said, I think Scott Perry and crew have learned their lesson about signing a bunch of veteran role players to the roster, which is the not the answer for the Knicks, who are still looking for their first playoff appearance since 2013.

New York has three draft selections this year, and because of that, they have a grand opportunity to make the squad even younger, and build a youth-filled core around the rising-star duo that is RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.

Again, while having two first round picks is a great asset going into a draft, it would be a sin for the Knicks to overlook their second round choice, and I think Devon Dotson is the best guy to prove that statement.