Knicks rumors: Damyean Dotson popping up as offseason trade target

Recent New York Knicks rumors involve rookie shooting guard Damyean Dotson, who could be an offseason trade target for some teams.

New York Knicks rumors have been quiet in recent days. A lot of rumors swirled around center Joakim Noah, who remains away from the team. The two sides could not agree to a buyout, so Noah is ineligible for a postseason roster. For now, it is likely that he remains on the Knicks’ roster, but away from the team.

The Noah situation is one that the team can revisit this offseason. The NBA Draft is the next time the Knicks will try and shop the disgruntled center. Heading for another lottery selection, the NBA Draft is something that Knicks fans will look forward to with victories far and few between.

New York will be active on the trade market, but Noah isn’t the only player that will be mentioned. According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, shooting guard Damyean Dotson is a name to keep an eye on this offseason in trade talks.

According to Begley, Dotson is a name that other organizations are discussing internally as an offseason trade target. Begley notes the Knicks’ usage of fellow rookie, Frank Ntilikina, as a reason that teams are considering Dotson.

Ntilikina has been playing off-ball more, leaving fewer minutes at shooting guard. As a result, teams are discussing if it will be possible to acquire Dotson from the team.

Trading away a young player, especially on the wing, would seemingly go against everything the Knicks are trying do. With Kristaps Porzingis suffering a torn ACL in mid-February, it will be difficult for New York to make noise next season as well.

That would lead one to believe that keeping young players on the roster to develop would be the course of action. However, as we saw at the trade deadline, that is not always the case.

More from Hoops Habit

• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers

The Knicks traded center Willy Hernangomez, a former second round pick like Dotson, to the Charlotte Hornets for Johnny O’Bryant and two second round picks. Many people thought Hernangomez would be a part of the Knicks’ future, but he was traded in his second season. Could Dotson meet the same fate?

Fans would like to think not. Keeping younger players and developing them is something they haven’t seen, but is long overdue in the Big Apple. Dotson hasn’t received much playing time, but he brings a lot to the table that you like to see.

Dotson has shown the ability to knock down 3-pointers. In the Summer League, he made 48 percent of his 3-point attempts. In the preseason, he knocked down 4-of-12 attempts in limited playing time. At the collegiate level, Dotson made 38.3 percent of his 3-point attempts, including 44.8 percent in his senior season.

Standing 6’5″ and weighing 210 pounds, Dotson also has the capability of being a solid defender. Here are some clips of him in action.

Those are just two clips, but there was a lot to like there. However, in the case of Dotson, a trade may not be too farfetched.

For starters, look at the minutes distribution. He is pretty far down in the pecking order. Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay and Troy Williams were immediately inserted into the rotation upon being acquired. That has left few opportunities for Dotson despite the youth movement being in full effect in New York.

All three have eaten into the chances for Dotson. They are all entrenched in the rotation, along with Frank Ntilikina. That could give a peek into what the Knicks’ feelings about Dotson are.

Like the other youngsters on the roster, Dotson needs playing time to develop. The Knicks have decided, at least for now, to give that playing time to other players.

For example, Williams has been given a shot at playing time and could be who the Knicks want to develop on the wing. Williams is in his second season in the NBA but is actually more than seven months younger than Dotson.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: Week 20

With 18 games remaining in the season, Dotson could still receive a shot. It would make sense to see what they have in Dotson, giving him a legitimate shot at playing time before possibly trading him away. However, if they receive a strong trade offer, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them pull the trigger.