It’s been a little over a week since the Atlanta Hawks traded third-year forward Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks for a package of fourth-year forward Kevin Knox and a protected first-round pick via the Charlotte Hornets. The trade came at the long-standing request of Reddish to go to a situation where he could develop into the player he feels he can be.
But whereas Knox has acquitted himself nicely in his brief stints on the floor with the Hawks, Reddish has yet to suit up for the Knicks as he works his way back from an ankle injury that he suffered on Jan 9.
Reddish has declared himself healthy, per The Athletic’s Fred Katz, and said, “that’s the hope” with regards to getting into New York’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
New York is 1-3 since the trade only besting Atlanta who’s 3-2 in that span.
Former Atlanta Hawks F Cam Reddish hasn’t found greener pastures in the Big Apple
Reddish is enjoying a career year offensively averaging 11.9 points on 40.2 percent shooting and 37.9 percent from downtown. He’s dropped 30-plus on the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic last month. Unfortunately for Reddish, his new level of effectiveness on offense has come at a price.
He’s having the worst defensive season of his career with his free-lancing taking a toll on the Hawks integrity on that end.
What’s more, he may not be getting the opportunity he so desperately seeks with the Knicks.
Per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau made it clear just where Reddish stood at the moment. Thibodeau also said that Reddish was “getting closer” to returning and that they would “see where he’s at” before facing L.A,
"“We have a rotation so he has to be patient and work his way through that.” – Tom Thibodeau on Cam Reddish"
That’s a very similar position Hawks brass took with the talented wing when he was in Atlanta. After the deal went down, Travis Schlenk somewhat alluded to this very thing, saying he wasn’t sure if it was the best situation for what Reddish was seeking. But added that his job is to get the best deal for the Hawks.
It still remains to be seen if the Hawks won this trade – Knox’s contributions have been minimal and the pick will be later in the first round in and when it conveys. The early indications, however, are that Reddish’s move was lateral at best; at least for the time being.