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Atlanta Hawks: Hard to see Cam Reddish being traded for picks

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 29: Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at State Farm Arena on June 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 29: Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at State Farm Arena on June 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Hawks remain a hot topic coming off of an impressive turnaround season that saw them reach the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s led to their being included in all sorts of rumors, some more believable than others. For example, the report on teams being interested in John Collins and the chances he could leave.

That makes sense given the comments from brass about the luxury tax.

Now, The Athletic’s Will Guillory wonders if the New Orleans Pelicans could package the 10th overall pick in the NBA Draft for Cam Reddish.

The Atlanta Hawks moving pieces like Cam Reddish for draft picks seems highly unlikely

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The blurb was part of Guillory’s mailbag and the idea is teams like the Pelicans could be intrigued by Reddish and see the logjam on the wings in Atlanta as an “open for business” sign.

But the Hawks are a team probably less interested in adding more youth, just as the article mentions the Pels are.

Also mentioned are Reddish’s “struggles” last season.

"“Could the Pels figure out a way to snatch Reddish away from Atlanta in a deal centered around the No. 10 pick? New Orleans may be hesitant to give up a quality pick in a deep draft for a guy who sat most of last season with an Achilles injury. Even when he has been healthy, Reddish has struggled to establish himself on the offensive end of the court in an offense centered around Trae Young.”"

It talks of his missing most of the season with an Achilles injury (which could happen to anyone) but fails to mention Lloyd Pierce and the notion he stunted the former Duke Blue Devil as a rookie.

By the time McMillan took over at the beginning of March, Reddish had already been out for five games. And if you think the coaching change wouldn’t have made a difference, consider the Hawks were six games under .500 when the change took place. They tied for the second-best record from that point on.

The article also mentions Reddish’s showing in the postseason — under McMillan — as a hint to his true potential.

But that same performance would more likely lead the Hawks to explore moving one of their expensive veterans before Reddish who they have more control over.

Next. Should the Atlanta Hawks trade up to pick No. 7. dark

Lastly, the piece mentions teaming with Zion Williamson as a means to “jumpstart” Reddish career. As we’ve covered before, the Hawks would probably be more interested in trading for Zion than moving Reddish.