The Knicks have been trying all offseason to keep themselves below the second apron, and Pacome Dadiet has become part of that math. New York would like to clear a roster spot and shave money from the books, but the harder question is whether anyone else actually wants the young wing.
Right now, the answer appears to be no.
That’s the problem for the Knicks. They may be ready to move on from Dadiet, but a trade only happens if another team buys in.
Instead, the buzz around him has gone in the opposite direction. As Stefan Bondy reported at the end of September, the Hornets passed on a deal involving Dadiet when New York tried to land Hornets C Moussa Diabate, because Charlotte didn’t want him as part of the return.
Dadiet’s stock has not helped itself since then. He had opportunities to show progress in Summer League and with the Ivory Coast team in the World Cup qualifiers, and neither stretch gave the Knicks much reason to feel better. He didn’t play well in Summer League, and his showing in the World Cup qualifiers somehow dragged his value down even further.
Monday night’s preseason opener didn’t change that picture. Dadiet led the team in minutes, but his line was rough: 2-6 from the field, no assists, no defensive stats, and four fouls in 18 minutes. He finished with 5 points, 3 rebounds, and a -18 in the Knicks’ 120-97 loss in Philadelphia.
It’s still preseason, and one game by itself doesn’t settle anything. But for a young player the team clearly wants to evaluate, it was another frustrating step.
Dadiet is on a relatively cheap contract, and his age keeps the word “potential” attached to his name. The trouble is that he still hasn’t shown much of it in a way that sticks.
There are reasons the Knicks might still hope for something more. Dadiet is 21, and there have been flashes of shooting, cutting, passing, and defense. But those moments haven’t come against strong competition, and they haven’t been consistent enough to build a real case around.
He’s a wing who might be able to shoot and defend, though probably not at a high level against quality opponents. He isn’t especially athletic, doesn’t have a standout wingspan, and hasn’t shown a reliable ability to create for himself or for teammates.
That’s part of what makes his situation so different from players like Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek when they were early in their Knicks careers. McBride had perimeter defense he could lean on.
Kolek had passing. Dadiet, at least so far, doesn’t have that kind of NBA-ready fallback skill.
The Knicks would love to turn him into something useful, whether that means a backup center or just extra room on the roster. But the market is driving the conversation, and the market does not seem interested. If anything, teams may view Dadiet as a negative asset, which could mean New York would need to attach draft capital just to move him.
Leon Rose has made plenty of strong moves in New York. Dadiet, though, is looking more and more like a draft pick and development bet the Knicks are having a hard time swallowing.
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For Knicks fans, the timing makes this one worth a glance even from afar. Hukporti was part of last seasons championship run in New York before Philadelphia signed him in July to a one-year, $3.4 million deal, and now his absence leaves the 76ers thinner up front at a moment when they can least afford another body lost. [Read more 🡒]