Doubt Looms Over Potential Knicks Trade

Of all the possible transactions the New York Knicks might partake in this trade season, arguably the most likely is a move involving forward Cam Reddish heading outbound.

The forward has struggled to get consistent playing time and, since early December, has been on the outside looking in at a role on head coach Tom Thibodeau’s nine-man rotation. It was then that the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy reported that Reddish and his representatives sought a clean break from the Knicks and that several teams are interested in him.

Now there are doubts over whether some of these intrigued clubs can actually afford to the 23-year-old, particularly the Miami Heat, who Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus wrote is simply far too cash-strapped to be considered a realistic landing spot for Reddish.

“The Miami Heat are very close to the luxury tax line ($150.3 million) and may not be willing to take on the extra money with Dewayne Dedmon ($4.7 million) out for salary purposes with Reddish ($6 million). While competing executives think the Heat might give up Caleb Martin in a deal that makes Miami appreciably better, Reddish may not be enough motive,” Pincus wrote in a story published January 26.

Reddish’s value has plummeted since coming to Knicks in January 2022. Even though they used a future protected first-round pick and their 2018 lottery pick, Kevin Knox, to get Reddish, the Knicks will not settle for  just two second-round picks in a Reddish deal, according to a January 23 HoopsHype story.

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The Milwaukee Bucks Are Still an Option for the New York Knicks

Pincus may have cast doubt over the idea of the Knicks trading Reddish to Miami, but he wrote that there could be a way to get a deal done with the Milwaukee Bucks, who he wrote have one particular player that could entice New York to make a move.

“The Milwaukee Bucks have been offering wing Grayson Allen to multiple teams, per sources, for various players on the block, including Reddish,” Pincus wrote.

According to a January 23 story by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Knicks have been in contact with the Bucks regarding the possibility of a trade for the controversial guard.

Despite his bad-boy reputation, Allen could make for a nice addition to the Knicks’ rotation because he’s a defensive-minded player and a trusty floor spacer who has averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists on 40.0% shooting from distance since 2020-21 and has ample postseason experience under his belt, including an NBA championship with Milwaukee in 2021.

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Utah Jazz Guard Could Be a Fit for the New York Knicks

Should the Knicks wish to bolster their second unit by means of the trade market, one option could be Utah Jazz scoring guard Malik Beasley, according to Knicks Fan TV’s CP “The Franchise.”

“How about Malik Beasley? That’s the guy I’ve always liked on the Knicks. 13 points per game, he’s at about 36% from (distance), good pull-up shooter, good catch-and-shoot shooter as well. Gives you some scoring versatility off of the bench. … How about adding Malik Beasley to the bench and give the bench a little bit of a lift because part of the problem is when the Knicks are going into the fourth quarter, number one (Thibodeau) isn’t staggering the lineup properly and you’re leaving too many guys on your bench out there to get exposed. … They’re not getting enough scoring.

“So then the coach has to pull the plug early, he’s got to go back to his starters…They need some playmaking, they need some scoring off the bench. I would look at a guy like Malik Beasley,” he said.

New York ranks just 27th in points (26.0), 29th in both field goal percentage (43.3), and 27th in 3-point percentage (29.9).

To CP, Beasley, a proven second-unit scorer, could prove to be a quality grab for this struggling unit, as he finds himself boasting impressive per-game averages of 13.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 37.8% shooting from distance whilst predominantly coming off the pine.

 

 

 

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