Pacome Dadiet
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New York Knicks' Pacome Dadiet during a game against the Miami Heat in March 2025
Ever since speculation emerged around a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, the New York Knicks have consistently been mentioned as a possible landing spot.
However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has since poured some cold water on the idea of New York making an all-in push for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar, suggesting that the Knicks appear comfortable sticking with their current core.
Shams Charania of ESPN has cited the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors as serious suitors in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
The Knicks have shown a noticeable uptick in form in recent weeks following a run of inconsistency, reducing the urgency for a blockbuster swing.
Still, that doesn’t mean the Knicks will be quiet ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
New York Knicks Weigh Selling Options at Deadline
Any move New York makes before the deadline is widely expected to be more about selling than buying.
Much of the Knicks’ trade chatter continues to center on Guerschon Yabusele, who holds a $5.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, New York is keen to move off that contract before the option becomes a factor.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto has previously reported that the Knicks have held trade discussions with both the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs involving Yabusele.
Scotto added that former first-round pick Pacome Dadiet was also mentioned in those talks.
While Yabusele’s future remains uncertain, Dadiet has been quietly building momentum away from the NBA spotlight.
Pacome Dadiet’s G League Surge Raises Value
Dadiet has spent time on assignment with the Westchester Knicks, where he’s put together an impressive stretch of play towards the end of December and through January.
Across five regular-season G League games, the 20-year-old is averaging 22.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 47.4% from the field and 34.1% from three-point range.
That production marks a clear step forward from his earlier appearances in the Tip-Off Tournament, where flashes were evident but consistency and shooting efficiency lagged.
The recent regular-season run suggests meaningful development, aided by steady minutes, with Dadiet averaging nearly 35 minutes per game, and a defined role that’s allowed him to play through mistakes.
The confidence has shown. On December 20, Dadiet erupted for 28 points against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, shooting 9-of-15 from the field and knocking down five threes.
More recently, on January 29, he followed up with a 26-point, 12-rebound performance, adding four triples and two steals.
Whether Dadiet is ultimately included in a deal involving Yabusele before the deadline remains unclear.
Yabusele has also been linked to a potential move overseas to Hapoel Tel Aviv, which would require a buyout with New York, according to The Athletic’s Fred Katz.
Alternatively, the Knicks could trade him, with a new team facilitating the buyout.
Either way, Dadiet’s age, size, and recent G League production may have quietly boosted his trade value if New York are open to moving him.
At just 20-years-old and standing 6-foot-9, he’s beginning to look like a potential valuable asset of sorts, whether as part of a deadline move or as a longer-term piece beyond February 5.