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Summary
Dotson's ideal role is as a microwave scorer off the bench. Dotson has the athleticism and ball-handling ability to create shots for himself, while also being able to hit spotup jumpers. He does not have the size or defensive ability to contain the elite wings in the league, but as a scorer off the bench he can avoid those duties.

However, Dotson had a poor season with the Cavs, which has his NBA career on life support. After shooting 37% from in the '18-'19 and '19-'20 seasons, he dropped to 29% this past season. If that level of accuracy continues, Dotson won't get any real playing time, and may not get much interest this summer in free agency if he is waived by the Cavs.
 
Cap Considerations
Dotson's $2 million salary for 2021-2022 is non-guaranteed, and if he is waived he will become an unrestricted free agent and the Cavaliers will have no form of Bird rights on him.

The Cavs will remain over the cap even if they waive Dotson and renounce all their free agents, so they won't get much of a benefit by waiving him, other than freeing up a roster spot. If he is waived, teams could claim him off waivers, but would need to fit his salary within cap space or an exception to do so, as his contract doesn't fit within the minimum salary exception as it was slightly above the minimum.

If Dotson becomes a free agent, other teams will have multiple ways to sign him as even teams without cap space could possibly use either of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, or possibly even the Room MLE to sign him. There's also a chance that Dotson ends up settling for the minimum.

Potential Teams: Magic, Cavaliers, Celtics, Bucks, Wizards

Predicted Contract: 1-year, $1.7 million with the Magic

Actual Contract: 1-year, $1.7 (non-guaranteed) million with the Spurs

Dotson only got a non-guaranteed deal with the Spurs, but is unlikely to make the final roster.

Last updated: 10/14/2021

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