The New York Knicks looked into making multiple deals during the 2021-22 NBA season, but they ended up only making one. New York acquired Cam Reddish, along with Solomon Hill and a future second-round pick, from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kevin Knox and a future first-round pick via the Charlotte Hornets.
It was a deal that many fans were excited about. While Reddish hasn’t consistently put things together yet in his career since being selected No. 10 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, he is oozing with potential. Reddish had that potential on full display during the 2021 NBA Playoffs in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.
For the first few weeks of his Knicks tenure, Reddish found himself glued to the bench more often than not. But, once some injuries occurred, he was finally able to get into the rotation for consistent minutes.
Unfortunately for Reddish, he suffered a season-ending injury right as he was beginning to find his footing with the Knicks and cement his role in the rotation. He went up to block a shot against the Sacramento Kings and fell hard, resulting in a shoulder injury.
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That injury will certainly complicate things when it comes to Reddish’s future with the New York Knicks. Like RJ Barrett, who he played with at Duke and was selected No. 3 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, Reddish is up for an extension this offseason.
Locking up Barrett to a long-term deal, becoming the first Knicks’ first-round pick to sign a second contract since Charlie Ward, seems like a foregone conclusion. Reddish’s future is tougher to predict.
Cam Reddish has all of the tools to become a high-level two-way player. He hasn’t shown that ability consistently but has shown flashes. But, flashes aren’t normally what get players paid. If Reddish wants a long-term deal he believes he is worth, he will likely have to wait until the 2023 offseason.
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It is hard to imagine the Knicks handing a long-term deal to Reddish given the small sample size he has with the team. At full strength, finding minutes for him is difficult. To ensure he has a rotation role with New York for the 2022-23 season, veterans such as Evan Fournier or Alec Burks likely need to be traded.
There have also been some rumors floating around that the Knicks could look to trade Reddish this offseason. That seems unlikely unless they can get real value back. Teams do not like to admit defeat in situations like that, as trading Reddish for anyone less would be an admission of getting it wrong with Reddish.
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The only thing the New York Knicks should consider parting ways with in exchange for Reddish is another first-round pick or if they can finally address their biggest need at the point guard position. Quentin Grimes playing well since he was inserted into the rotation has lessened the need for Reddish.
The likeliest scenario is that Cam Reddish remains on the team, but a rookie extension isn’t worked out ahead of the deadline unless Reddish is willing to sign below what he likely feels his market price is.
