NBA Rumors: New York Knicks discarded forward Cam Reddish only worth a second-round pick or a rookie-scale contract player
Cam Reddish went from being an integral part of Tom Thibodeau's system with the New York Knicks this season to a discard in no time. He is once again among the headliners in the trade market after failing to find a role on another team. Reddish is one of the best buy-low options out there for contending teams.
According to News Day's Steve Popper, Reddish's current trade value is only worth a second-round pick or a rookie-scale contract player with a different skill set. Here's what Popper wrote about this:
"According to a source familiar with the talks, the Knicks are working with Reddish’s representatives to find a suitable team for him — but like last season, when the Hawks accommodated him, it’s not exactly a seller’s market.
"The Knicks surrendered a first-round pick for Reddish, but the current price appears to be a second-round pick or a player on a rookie contract with a different skill set."
Reddish is on an expiring rookie-scale contract and will be a restricted free agent next season. He has played 20 games for the Knicks, starting eight times. Reddish was impactful in a starting role but eventually fell out of the rotation.
He has averaged 8.4 points on a career-high 44.9% shooting from the field. Reddish brings size and athleticism to the table with his 6'8" frame. He is also a versatile defensive player, but there are concerns about his shooting efficiency. He has a career field goal percentage of 39.3% and a 32.3% from the 3-point line.
NBA Rumors: New York Knicks forward Cam Reddish's low-risk, high-reward tag makes him a coveted target
The New York Knicks spent a first-rounder to land Cam Reddish last season. But it's unlikely that they'll get the same value for him. Reddish's injury woes and inconsistent run of performances make him a buy-low trade target.
The current trade value reported by Popper seems appropriate for Reddish, which makes him a coveted target around the league. According to NBA rumors, the LA Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat have all reached out to the Knicks over a potential trade for Reddish over the last year.
The Lakers had conversations with the New York Knicks weeks ago after they got off to a dismal 2-8 start and were looking for reinforcements to bolster their wing depth. LA won't benefit much from Reddish offensively due to his lack of perimeter shooting threat. However, defensively they could improve a lot if they added him.
The same goes for the Heat and Bucks, who would benefit more than the Lakers by acquiring Reddish, as they still have lasers on their team. It's unclear what the Knicks intend to do with the former Hawks forward, as he has denied asking for a trade after falling out of the rotation.
However, a trade seems to be on the horizon nearing the deadline as the New York Knicks would prefer to get some value in return than lose him for nothing in free agency next offseason. They could match the offer sheet presented to him by other teams, but if Thibodeau remains in charge, they're unlikely to bring Reddish back.