Report: Samuel Dalembert ‘could be available’ in trade from Knicks

Samuel Dalembert began the season as the starting center for the Knicks, but that hasn’t been the case now for 10 of his last 11 games.

A career-low field goal percentage is at least partly to blame, because Dalembert’s defense isn’t so good that New York can afford to have someone on the floor for extended minutes who is essentially a zero offensively.

But the Knicks have also liked what they’ve seen from Cole Aldrich, who has supplanted Dalembert recently as the starter, and has seen heavy minutes in the rotation.

Dalembert is of no help in New York, but his skill set could add depth to a team looking to make a playoff push. That combination of facts has those around the league wondering if Dalembert may be dealt before the trade deadline passes.

From Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe:

One player who could be available over the next few weeks is Knicks center Samuel Dalembert, who has only $1.85 million guaranteed on his contract this season and has fallen out of the rotation in New York with the improved play of Cole Aldrich. Dalembert, 33, could help a playoff-caliber team in the second half of the season. The Knicks could waive Dalembert, save the remaining money, and allow him to become a free agent.

Dalembert is in the final year of his contract, which pays him a little over $4 million this season. But the deal is non-guaranteed, which is why the Knicks could consider waiving him if money was indeed an issue.

But what’s more likely is that New York would try to flip him for an asset in return -- either a future draft pick, or a young fringe player that might get some minutes on a rebuilding Knicks team, with an outside chance of earning a future spot on the roster.