The Atlanta Hawks made the first change to their roster, shipping 22-year-old Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks. They will get back a protected first-round pick (via the Charlotte Hornets) that should convey this offseason as well as forward Kevin Knox, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Reddish has been the subject of trade rumors dating at least back to the end of last season after his strong showing in the Eastern Conference Finals.
His career has been marred by inconsistency as COVID, injuries, and his own play have all contributed. He’s missed 61 games over his first three years, making just 23 regular-season appearances last year.
He is averaging 11.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists this season.
The points mark a career-high but the rebounds and assists are both down but he is shooting career-highs from the floor (40.2% FG) and from deep (37.9% 3P).
Reddish, 22, gets his wish for a deal to a team with the ability to give him an increased role and an extension this summer – and Hawks get a first-round pick that could be useful in more deal-making to improve the roster. https://t.co/o0R4nS7KBv
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2022
Hold off before passing judgment on the Atlanta Hawks return in the Cam Reddish trade
For his career, Reddish is averaging 11.1 points, 3.4 boards, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 steals. He has a reputation as an athletic, switchy perimeter defender. But, this season his defense has waned, perhaps thanks to his increased offensive role. The third-year wing’s usage rate has jumped from 18.9 percent as a rookie and 19.3 in his second season to 23.1 percent this year.
The deal, that also sends beloved locker room presence Solomon Hill to the Knicks, has different implications for both teams.
Atlanta is coming off of a 115-91 loss to the short-handed Miami Heat and sit 12th in the East at 17-23. New York is 21-21 but sits just one spot above the Hawks, adding another layer of intrigue to the pact.
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.
Knicks grade after trading for Cam Reddish: C+
The Knicks are going the other way from the Hawks at the moment, winning four out of their last five games. Their latest was a 108-85 romp over the visiting Dallas Mavericks. For them, this move is a low-risk, high-reward investment and allowed them to get off of one of their own failed picks.
As mentioned, there is a risk that Reddish ultimately turns out to be what Knox has become since entering the league. And the new Knicks wing is just 21 days younger.
Still, there is off-the-bounce appeal with Reddish that Knox just doesn’t have.
There is also that defensive potential. Reddish’s issue is that he gambles and can leave the defense weak. Going to a Tom Thibodeau-coached team will certainly get him to buy into the team aspect on that side of the ball
Reddish is also being re-united with college teammate R.J. Barrett who just had 32 points and seven rebounds against the Mavs.
The Knicks started Alec Burks and Evan Fournier at guard on Wednesday with Kemba Walker out and Derrick Rose still weeks away. They also still have talented rookie guard Quentin Grimes. But Reddish offers a better blend of skill set and potential than at this point. It polish where he might not have an edge but, again, Thibs.
Banking on potential is always risky, perhaps as the Hawks are currently finding out.
But there isn’t much to knock New York on for this one. Similar to Philly with regards to Simmons, the Knicks have little use for more draft picks and get a player many sought on the market.