NBA trades haven’t been flowing like they usually do this time of year, but fans got something Thursday when ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Knicks are acquiring Cam Reddish from the Hawks for a first-round pick. 2022 pick (via Charlotte), a 2025 second-round pick (via Brooklyn), Kevin Knox and Solomon Hill.
ESPN sources: The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks for a deal that includes a protected 2022 first-round pick via Charlotte. The Knicks also acquire Solomon Hill and a 2025 second-round pick via Brooklyn in exchange.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2022
The deal sends Reddish, who was the 10th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, to a new location where he should see more playing time opportunities than he did during his three-year stint in Atlanta.
Was there a clear winner and loser in the deal? Let’s break it down and see how this trade works out for both teams.
NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock games outside of the live market (7-day free trial)
Did the Knicks win the Cam Reddish trade?
In short, the answer is yes.
The 22-year-old Reddish gives the Knicks a young scorer and shot-maker on the wing who hasn’t had much of an opportunity until now to show off his full capabilities at the NBA level. Reddish is averaging a career-high 11.9 points this season, but only played 23.4 minutes per game for the Hawks. His shooting splits of .402/.379/.900 are career bests and he showed glimpses of a player who could one day make an impact for a team if given the hint to do so.
His numbers for 36 give you a better idea of what he might be capable of, averaging 18.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 steals. He had some standout moments when he received a minute boost this season, including two 20-point games and two 30-point games, one of which caught fire, and he made a career-high eight 3-pointers.
Both 30-point games came in a one-week span that saw Reddish break into the Hawks’ starting lineup due to the number of players outside the league’s health and safety protocols.
His size, standing at 6-foot-8 with a wingspan of over 7 feet, makes him an intriguing and versatile defender. It will be interesting to see what defensive-minded head coach Tom Thibodeau can do to maximize his potential on that side of the floor.
Lastly, the deal reunites Reddish with his Duke University teammate RJ Barrett, giving him a familiarity between one of the mainstays of the Knicks franchise and his newest acquisition.
Reddish and Barrett had plenty of opportunities to work on their two-man game during their only season at Duke, as star forward Zion Williamson missed a month of action after sustaining a knee injury when his shoe blew out during a game.
Knicks fans, check out some of this:
Reddish’s role on the team, of course, remains unknown, but it’s hard to believe the Knicks would spend a first-round pick on a player they don’t intend to play. It will be fun to see how he fits into New York’s rotation once the trade is finalized.
What do the Hawks win?
Reddish was set to hit restricted free agency this offseason and after paying off Trae Young, Clint Capela and John Collins, along with lucrative deals that extended Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari two offseasons ago, it was unlikely they would have been able to match any kind of great offer for the 22-year-old winger.
This ensures that they get something in return for a former top 10 pick (not to mention the added pressure that Reddish was the player selected by Atlanta with the additional first-round pick he acquired in the draft-day deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Mavericks). for young).
The move is likely the first in what could be a series of trades, with Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. latest nba trade information stating that an assistant general manager said, “Everyone but Trae Young and Clint Capela are available.”
It’s worth noting that Collins, the Hawks’ most valuable trade piece, isn’t eligible to be moved until Jan. 15 because he just signed an extension this offseason, so it will be a few days before those potential discussions take hold. step up.
The Hawks are struggling after a great run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, going 17-23 to this point, 3.0 games behind even having a Play-In Tournament spot.