Trade Notes from Cam Reddish-Josh Hart: Solid move for Knicks; Blazers take on a seller attitude

The New York Knicks have agreed to trade Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk and a protected first-round pick to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Josh Hart. according to Adrian Wojnarowski. The pick the Knicks are broadcasting is their own 2023 first-round pick, which is lottery-protected. If not brokered this year, that will make four future second-round picks.

Hart, a versatile player on both sides of the ball, also received timely treatment last season when the New Orleans Pelicans traded him to the Blazers for CJ McCollum. In 51 games as a starter for the Blazers this season, he averaged 9.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists while providing a strong outside defense. However, he struggled with his shot, making just 30.4 percent of his 3-point attempts.

Given his competitive mindset on the defensive side of the ball, Hart should fit right into the culture set out by head coach Tom Thibodeau. He will also join forces with former Villanova teammate Jalen Brunson, who was excited about the move. The duo won an NCAA championship together in 2016.

This is also the second consecutive date that Reddish has been postponed. The Knicks acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kevin Knox and a prospective first-round pick originally owned by the Charlotte Hornets that has not yet been brokered. While the front office hoped that Reddish could be a reclamation project under Thibodeau, this did not happen. Reddish only played 35 total games for the Knicks and quickly fell out of rotation that season; He has not seen the court since December 3rd. Maybe his luck will improve in Portland, but the former No. 10 overall pick’s chances are dwindling.

Let’s evaluate the trade:

received curtsy

Hart might be the ideal player for a Tom Thibodeau team. He’s a tenacious defender, always making an effort on this side of the ball, guarding multiple positions, working hard on the glass and staying in character. Part of the downside to Thibodeau’s rigid style is that some players are either uninterested in playing this way or take time to get used to it; That won’t be the case with Hart, who will help increase the Knicks’ wing rotation.

In addition to the versatility and toughness he will bring on defense, Hart is a solid secondary playmaker, a willing cutter, and a great offensive rebounder for his size. The big question is if he can rediscover his 3-point shot. He’s struggled from behind the line this season (30.4 percent on 2.2 attempts per game) but is a 34.3 percent career shooter. If he can get back into that range from 3 it will be a big boost for the Knicks.

The Knicks also did well to earn lottery protection for first-round picks, giving them some insurance against a collapse after the All-Star break or a disappointing play-in tournament result. However, they had to give up a first-round pick to get Reddish and then give up another in trading to get rid of him, which isn’t great money management. It’s also worth noting that Hart has a player option for next season and can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Still, this is a nice trade for the Knicks, especially considering they haven’t lost any rotation players.

Grade: B+

Blazer received

• cams reddish
• Ryan Arcidiacono
• Svi Mykhailiuk
• Knicks’ lottery-protected 2023 first-round pick (will become four second-round picks if not brokered this year)

The Blazers were hoping to return to the playoff mix this season with a healthy Damian Lillard and Jerami Grant arriving in an offseason trade. And they still could; Despite sitting 12th in Wednesday night’s list of games, they are percentage points behind play-in position and just three games out of five in the crowded Western Conference.

But even if they do sneak into the playoffs, it’s clear this team isn’t going anywhere this season, so they made the wise decision to become a salesman. Hart is a super helpful role player, but he doesn’t move the needle enough on a mediocre team like the Blazers and will likely drop out and become a free agent this summer. Instead of paying him, they take advantage of Reddish and a potential additional first-round pick.

Reddish was highly praised for getting into the league but couldn’t pull it all together in his first two stints with the Atlanta Hawks and Knicks. However, he has shown some flashes on both sides of the ball and is still only 23 years old; it doesn’t hurt the Blazers to look at him. A definitive first-round pick would have been better for the Blazers, but four second-rounders is more than the usual compromise for a non-conciliatory pick.

grade B-