Cam Reddish is the Newest New York Knick
The Knicks are taking a swing on an inconsistent, but tantalizingly talented prospect.
The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks have reportedly agreed to a deal that will send Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill, and a 2025 second-round pick to the Knicks in return for for Kevin Knox and a protected 2022 first-round pick from the Charlotte Hornets.
Reddish is a big, athletic wing with some serious two-way potential. He’s a solid defender already, and has shown flashes of shooting and - very occasionally - ability off the bounce. Despite his tantalizing blend of size and skill, Reddish has never been able to prove himself a consistent or efficient offensive player, a reality that follows him all the way back to his collegiate day.
The Hawks have a glut of talent on the wing, and it was unlikely Reddish was going to force his way ahead of De’Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter, and Bogdan Bogdanovic in the rotation enough to justify Atlanta paying his next contract, particularly if they’re interested in retaining some combination of those other players.
If the Hawks decided that Reddish isn’t a good enough bet to cash in on his potential to prioritize over their other wings - and it appears they have - then moving him now makes sense.
The return they got for him feels a bit underwhelming.
Nabbing a first-round pick is always helpful, but the chances this particular pick turns into a better bite at the competent two-way player apple than Reddish aren’t exceedingly high. Getting him to the requisite level of consistency to qualify as such a talent will require reps he wasn’t going to get in Atlanta though.
Reddish should see more action in New York. The Knicks are light on perimeter talent, and very light on high-ceiling prospects. Going after Reddish instead of an established veteran is a smart choice, and it signals that New York has accepted it isn’t a serious threat in the present.
The Knicks have struggled to come to such a realization frequently in the past. New (as of last year) President of Basketball Operations Leon Rose has done a decent job of building slowly, Evan Fournier’s 4-year, $73 million contract this summer notwithstanding.
New York was a surprise four seed in the Eastern Conference last year. They’re currently in eleventh place. The team’s competence one season prior could be reason to justify win now moves for established players, but it appears the Knicks are more focused on the future. Landing Reddish is a nice step in that direction.