New York Knicks to waive C Samuel Dalembert

The New York Knicks have agreed to waive starting center Samuel Dalembert.

After failing to find a trade partner for the center, the New York Knicks have decided to waive center Samuel Dalembert, per Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.

New York Knicks center Sam Dalembert will be waived, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 6, 2015

By waiving Dalembert, the Knicks avoid fully guaranteeing the big man’s contract. Dalembert was owed $3.8 million this season.

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While Dalembert likely had minimal trade interest around the league, acquiring the center on waivers or in free agency for the veteran’s minimum wouldn’t require giving up an asset.

Because of Dalembert’s $3.8 million salary, it’s unlikely any team would claim him off waivers (whenever a team claims a player off waivers, they’re forced to absorb the remainder of his contract), but after that, the Cleveland Cavaliers could be a team interested in the veteran.

With Anderson Varejao out for the rest of the season with a torn meniscus, Dalembert could step in for Cleveland to soak up minutes as the back-up center.

Dalembert isn’t the big time rim protector the Cavaliers need to take their league-average defense to the next level (and possibly make them a true championship contender), but he’s an improvement from Brendan Haywood and is a cheap alternative for a quick fix.

As a member of the Knicks, Dalembert averaged 4.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocked shots in 32 games.

The New York Knicks have agreed to waive starting center Samuel Dalembert.

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