Cam Reddish is out of the rotation in New York and has been — ostensibly — since he arrived. With him on the trading block, numerous teams have thrown their hat in the ring. Most recently, the Utah Jazz has shown interest in the 23-year-old, per Sideline Sources’ Wenzell Ortiz.
The Jazz has made it known that every player on their roster is available for trade except for Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Ochai Agbaji. With reports suggesting that the team will pivot towards being sellers by this deadline, acquiring young talent or draft capital would be auspicious.
Reddish, who has been in head coach Tom Thibodeau’s proverbial doghouse since arriving in New York last year, has not played a game for the Knicks since December 3. With him on the trading block, and reportedly only commanding second-round picks, Utah’s interest is burgeoning. Sources told Sideline Sources’ Wenzell Ortiz that the Jazz have shown interest in trading for the former Blue Devil.
A deal for Reddish would most likely have to parallel the one that sent Rui Hachimura to the Lakers. This entails that an expiring contract, like Kendrick Nunn’s, must come with any incoming second-round picks the Knicks to receive.
“The Mavs have tried because again the price is only a second-rounder,” Stein said on his podcast. “The problem the Mavs have is they don’t have that $5-6 million expiring contract like the Lakers did with Kendrick Nunn to make this deal easy. Initially, I heard that the Knicks wanted Reggie Bullock, who is a Tom Thibodeau favorite, but I’ve since heard that the Reggie Bullock fandom in the Knicks organization is not exactly unanimous, and it might be more the coach that wants him than the front office that wants him. So, the Mavericks have not been able to complete a Reddish deal.”
The Jazz, however, has Nickeil Alexander-Walker on an expiring contract tantamount to what Reddish is currently making. They also have flexibility with the abundance of draft picks they acquired from trading their cornerstones Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert this past offseason.
Reddish aligns with the timeline of Utah’s current untouchable players. Moreover, he has shown flashes of offensive brilliance and a willingness to defend under the right tutelage; see his defensive prowess in college, under Mike Krzyzewski. Unfortunately for Reddish, he has garnered a reputation in the NBA. If the Jazz were to trade for him, he would have to assuage the pernicious perception that he’s a locker room cancer, of sorts.
Utah is also linked to Dallas forward Dorian Finney-Smith. However, they are not in breathless pursuit of him.
Reddish expressed displeasure with his role on Knicks
While it is unclear exactly why Reddish is out of the Knicks’ rotation, a report by SNY’s Ian Begley suggests that it’s due to him disagreeing with his role on the team before a game on December 4. Begley outlined how Reddish had communicated his frustration to a Knicks assistant coach, who then relayed the information to Thibodeau.
The 23-year-old has not appeared in a game since — not even during garbage time.
Multiple teams have an interest in Reddish
Drafted in the first round in 2019, it’s understandable that a slew of teams has thrown their hat in the Reddish trade ring. The former Hawk is still an upside player and possesses the tools to be an exceptional three-and-D player, at the very least.
Along with the aforementioned Jazz and Mavericks, the Cavaliers, Heat, and Bucks have also shown interest in Reddish. Cleveland, according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, “is a team that I was told that has a really good shot at making this deal work.” The Cavaliers are reportedly in the market for a wing player to add to their rotation, making Reddish an ideal candidate.
The Heat and Bucks are also looking to augment their perimeter depth. Both teams reportedly covet Suns forward Jae Crowder, making the reports that Reddish is on their radar all the more plausible.
In 20 games this season, Reddish is averaging 8.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.
Discussion about this post