Grading the Atlanta Hawks trading Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks
Hawks grade after trading Cam Reddish: Incomplete
Per Woj, the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers were also interested in the former Duke Blue Devil after the Hawks had been “canvassing league for a mid-first round pick or a young player”. There is some speculation that this is to facilitate another move in the future. That strong possibility is the biggest factor in their grade.
On its own, the deal doesn’t stand out as a win for the Hawks necessarily.
They would surely disagree as they satisfied their reported criteria. The Hornets pick will likely convey this year with them sitting seventh in the East and is currently projected for 20th overall.
The Hawks have struck outside of the lottery before with John Collins and Kevin Huerter going 19th in their respective classes and hopefully with Jalen Johnson at 20th overall this year.
In Knox, the Hawks get what most fear will become of Reddish.
"I thought in the third quarter, they came out and jumped right on us." pic.twitter.com/L4iyRHnkus
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) January 13, 2022
He’s a player with tools but who so far hasn’t been able to put it all together. The former ninth-overall pick is averaging just 3.6 points and 1.7 boards on 37.5 percent shooting and 35.7 percent from downtown in a little over eight minutes per game. Basically, this was more about the salary than the player unless he proves otherwise.
He averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 boardss as a rookie and shot 39.3 percent from three last season.
The loss of Hill also stings for what he’s meant as a leader but with him out for the season, it is understandable.
If this is a deal aimed at bringing in Ben Simmons, there is the issue of Clint Capela who isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut and doesn’t shoot free throws well. Philadelphia also has little use for a mid-round pick with championship aspirations.
Atlanta’s continued struggles also make their ultimate intentions unclear at this time.
They are several games off of their pace from last season with the trade deadline less than a month away and reports are everyone except for Young and Capela is on the table.