Samuel Dalembert

Free agent center Samuel Dalembert has agreed to a one-year deal with Dallas. Sources report that the deal is worth $1.4M, the veteran's minimum. The deal marks a return to the Mavericks for Dalembert who played for the team in 2013-14. The center averaged 4.0 points, 5.3 boards, and 1.3 blocks per game in 32 games for the Knicks last season.

Fantasy Impact

With Tyson Chandler leaving and the Mavs have filled his role with Zaza Pachulia and now Dalembert. The two will split time at the center spot, making the 'Haitian Sensation' an intriguing player in fantasy if he can get significant minutes. Never a big scoring threat, Dalembert will bring above-average rebounding and rim- protection to the Mavs next season.

Samuel Dalembert was acquired by the Knicks from the Mavericks in June, but struggled this season and was cut for financial reasons.

Fantasy Impact

Dalembert has only averaged four points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season, starting 21 of 32 games played this season. At the top of his game, Dalembert averaged 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game but that is not the player that was on the Knicks this year and they moved swiftly to get him off of the team.

Dalembert was held out of the last three quarters of the 95-90 win over Cleveland on Thursday with a sore left calf.

Fantasy Impact

The Knicks center could have come back into the game and is expected to play against the Hornets on Sunday but with the injury to starting point guard Jose Calderon, head coach Derek Fisher edged on the side of caution. The big piece of news from Dalembert missing the last three quarters was that his backup Jason Smith looked very solid against the formidable Cavs. Smith was five of six from the field and scored 12 points, adding two rebounds and solid defensive effort. The depth of this Knicks lineup is constantly questioned and Smith coming off the bench to serve as the starting center for three quarters is a pleasant surprise. The Knicks look for Dalembert to be their defensive force with his blocking prowess so the team will monitor his left calf injury.

In breaking down his roster, Phil Jackson says that the newly added Samuel Dalembert can still be productive in a smaller role.

Fantasy Impact

Phil Jackson says that Dalembert will play about 26 minutes per game but still thinks that he can average 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. Jackson was encouraged by his performance against the Spurs in the playoffs and he thinks that he is the only natural center that the Knicks have. For Dalembert to be a fantasy impact, Jackson needs to be right in some parts but wrong in others; 10/10 would be ideal, as would 1.78 blocks per game like his career average, but Dalembert needs to be on the court for more than the 26 minutes that Jackson predicted. If he plays over 30 minutes per game with the statistics that Jackson projected, look to add Dalembert in deeper leagues for center depth.

Recently added Samuel Dalembert has to take over for Tyson Crawford for the Knicks.

Fantasy Impact

Tyson Chandler is a former Defensive Player of the Year, but Dalembert will give the Knicks a more stable option at center. Chandler is an oft injured player while Dalembert has played in 65 or more games in 11 of his 13 NBA seasons. Dalembert may not be flashy, but he is very effective on defense with nearly 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game for his career. His offensive output has never been great but he will get a lot of playing time with the Knicks as the front court defensive stalwart. If your team is desperate for blocks and is looking for a definite starter, Dalembert is a servicable option.