The New York Knicks have a simple problem with a clear solution, yet the front office seems stuck. Pacôme Dadiet brings little value to the table on his own, but his contract is the key to fixing the roster.
The team needs to move him to make room for the veterans they actually want to keep. This isn’t about Dadiet’s potential; it is about the math of the salary cap and the need for depth.
The Math of Two Roster Spots
Right now, the Knicks technically have two open spots on their roster, but they cannot fill both without breaking the rules. Avoiding the dreaded second apron means they can sign only one player to a veteran’s minimum deal.
Dadiet is making $2.93 million this season, which costs more against the cap than a standard veteran minimum contract. If the team gets rid of Dadiet’s contract, they can suddenly sign two players to veteran minimum deals instead of just one. That single move changes the entire shape of the bench.
According to Daily Knicks, a training-camp battle is underway to decide who secures the final roster spot. James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks, Tony Bradley, Bruce Brown, and Ochai Agbaji are among the candidates.
If the Knicks decide they really want to keep two of these players, then trading Dadiet is the best way to do it. With seven second-round picks over the next three years, including three in 2027, the organization can sweeten deals to absorb Dadiet’s contract for a salary dump.
Preseason Performance Raises Questions
The young forward has not done enough to convince anyone he belongs on the final squad. During Thursday’s 111–109 loss to the Washington Wizards, Dadiet recorded 2-for-8 from the field and 1-for-3 from deep in just 12 minutes.
His inability to finish numerous rim attempts late in the third quarter reminded older fans of Charles Smith. Early in the fourth quarter, he committed a terrible turnover by inbounding the ball directly to an opponent. In Monday’s preseason opener, he played 18 minutes, shot 2-for-6, and picked up four fouls.
Since other teams view his value as minimal, his trade value is next to none. While it remains unclear how many second-round picks the Knicks must attach for another team to accept Dadiet, the Knicks have plenty to offer.
Although the Knicks are giving Dadiet a chance to shine in the preseason, he has not yet taken advantage of it. With much of the same roster intact following a championship, the team has few questions left before the regular season starts.
A Clear Path Forward
The organization has stated its focus is on winning, and keeping a player who cannot finish at the rim does not help that goal. “As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of,” the team said in a statement provided to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
They also noted, “As a result, we will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season.” This mindset should apply to Dadiet as well.
One of the few remaining questions for the Knicks is whether Dadiet will still be on the team on opening night. The front office has the tools to fix this, including the picks and the clear need for roster flexibility. Trading him now solves the cap issue and lets them add two more bodies to the roster.
