Cam Reddish is out of New York’s rotation and has apparently been since his arrival. With him on the trade block, multiple teams have thrown their hat into the ring. Most recently, the Utah Jazz have shown interest in the 23-year-old Wenzel Ortiz of Sideline Sources.
The Jazz have reported that all players on their roster are available for trade except for Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and Ochai Agbaji. With reports suggesting the team will be headed for sellers before this deadline, acquiring young talent or investing capital would be a boon.
Reddish, who has been in head coach Tom Thibodeau’s proverbial doghouse since arriving in New York last year, has not played for the Knicks since Dec. 3. With him on the trading block and reportedly only commanding second-round picks, Utah’s interest. grows. Sources told Wenzel Ortiz of Sideline Sources that the Jazz have shown interest in trading the former Blue Devil.
The deal with the Reddish is likely to coincide with the deal that sent Rui Hachimura to the Lakers. This implies that an expiring contract, like Kendrick Nunn’s, must go with any second-round pick the Knicks receive.
“The Mavs tried because, again, the price is only a second-round pick,” Stein said on his podcast. “The problem with the Mavs is they don’t have a $5-6 million contract like the Lakers did with Kendrick Nunn to facilitate this deal. At first I heard the Knicks wanted Reggie Bullock, who is Tom Thibodeau’s favorite, but I’ve since heard Reggie Bullock fans in the Knicks organization are ambivalent, and it may be more the coach wanting him than the coach. : front office that wants him. So the Mavericks couldn’t complete the Redskins deal.”
The Jazz, however, have an expiring contract with Nikale Alexander-Walker, which Reddish is currently doing. They also have flexibility with the abundance they acquired in the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert trades last offseason.
Red corresponds to Utah’s current roster of untouchable players. Furthermore, he has shown offensive brilliance and a willingness to defend under the right tutelage; look at his defensive abilities in college under Mike Krzyzewski. Unfortunately for Reddish, he’s made a name for himself in the NBA. If the Jazz were to trade him, he would have to put to rest the damaging perception that he is a locker room cancer.
Utah has also been linked to Dallas forward Dorian Phinney-Smith. However, they are not chasing him breathlessly.
Reddish expressed dissatisfaction with his role on the Knicks
While it’s unclear why Reddish fell out of the Knicks’ rotation, a report from SNY’s Ian Begley suggests it’s because he’s not comfortable with his role on the team ahead of the Dec. 4 game. Begley highlighted how Reddish expressed his frustration. A Knicks assistant coach, who then relayed the information to Thibodeau.
The 23-year-old hasn’t appeared in a game since, not even in garbage time.
Several teams are interested in Reddish
Drafted in the first round of 2019, it’s understandable that a number of teams have thrown their hat into the redshirt trade ring. The former Falcon is still a turnaround player and has the tools to be, at the very least, an exceptional three-dimensional player.
Along with the aforementioned Jazz and Mavericks, the Cavaliers, Heat and Bucks have also shown interest in Reddish. Cleveland, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, “is a team that I’ve been told has a really good chance to make this deal happen.” The Cavaliers are reportedly looking for a wing player to add to their rotation, making Reddish an ideal candidate.
The Heat and Bucks are also looking to increase their perimeter depth. Both teams reportedly want Suns forward Jae Crowder, making reports that Reddish is on their radars more likely.
Redish is averaging 8.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 20 games this season.