It was reported late last week by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, that the New York Knicks are looking to clear cap space to make a run at Jalen Brunson when free agency opens on Thursday. One of the ways the Knicks could look to do so is to trade Cam Reddish, who is set to make just under $6 million this season. Could the Milwaukee Bucks be a suitor?
Last week, I posed this same question for Matisse Thybulle, who was also selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, just like Cam Reddish, so the cost for a team like the 76ers who are reported to be looking to clear cap space to make a run at PJ Tucker, the Knicks are looking to do the same for Jalen Brunson.
The Milwaukee Bucks could offer the Knicks George Hill, who is on an expiring $4 million contract, that would be good for a backup point guard if the Knicks could find a suitor for Derrick Rose or agree to a buyout for him. In addition to George Hill, the Bucks could offer Luca Vildoza to the New York Knicks. Why would the Knicks want Luca Vildoza? Luca offers an interesting way to create cap space, while currently carrying a cap hit of $1.7 million, if he is cut before the last day of training camp, per his contract which is only partially guaranteed, he makes $500,000, saving the team $1.2 million, a potentially enticing way to even out salaries while still saving the Knicks money. That being said, what would Cam Reddish bring to the Bucks?
Milwaukee Bucks a good fit for Cam Reddish: Depth on the wing
The Milwaukee Bucks did just draft MarJon Beauchamp, who adds depth to the small forward/shooting guard positions, but as the Bucks saw in their playoff exit against the Boston Celtics, there is no such thing as too much wing depth. Especially when teams elect to play small ball with someone like 6’6″ Grant Williams as their power forward or even center. What Cam Reddish would give the Bucks is another 6’8″ player that can slide down to the power forward position in a small ball lineup. Conversely, the Bucks could employ Reddish at small forward in a lineup with Khris Middleton at shooting guard, Giannis Antetokounmpo at power forward and either Bobby Portis or Brook Lopez at center and have a massive lineup. In addition to being 6’8″ Cam Reddish also has a wingspan over 7 feet, which would contribute to disrupting passing lanes on the defensive end.
Milwaukee Bucks a good fit for Cam Reddish: Bench scoring boost
Since entering the NBA in 2019 Cam Reddish has averaged 10.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Reddish is a great free throw shooter, 84.1 percent at the line for his career. While Reddish hasn’t been the portrait of consistency behind the 3-point line, he has shown the capability to be a decent 3-point shooter. Cam Reddish is a career 32.5 percent 3-point shooter, he did make 35.9 percent in 2021-22, and before his trade to the Knicks was making 37.9 percent of his attempts from deep in Atlanta. Perhaps Reddish could benefit again from playing alongside another offensive player that demands a lot of attention like Trae Young does, maybe playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton could help Reddish get better looks at shots behind the arc and improve upon his career numbers from deep.
Milwaukee Bucks a good fit for Cam Reddish: An injection of young talent
Cam Reddish turns 23 in September, the Milwaukee Bucks average age is just over 28, sending out George Hill and bringing in Cam Reddish would aid in bringing that number down. The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, partially due to their signing of veterans to contribute depth and Brook Lopez who is entering the final year of his contract.
The other thing that contributes to the Bucks lack of youth is last week Thursday, the Milwaukee Bucks made and retained their first round pick for the first time with MarJon Beauchamp for the first time since 2018 when the team selected Donte DiVincenzo. The Bucks have made a bunch of second round selections since then but not many have stuck, Jordan Nwora has been around but hasn’t seen consistent playing time, Sam Merrill was drafted and traded to the Grizzlies in the deal that brought Grayson Allen to Milwaukee ahead of last season. Georgios Kalaitzakis was selected 60th overall and waived to create a roster spot last season and Sandro Mamukelashvili seems full of potential and of all of the second round selections made in the past few seasons seems to have the best chance of making an impact on the team potentially starting next season when Brook Lopez is a free agent.
Cam Reddish could essentially give the Bucks the opportunity to develop a first-round talent in their culture alongside a couple All-Stars and veteran leadership from a team with a recent championship. Something the Bucks haven’t had since 2018 and has been renewed since last week when the Bucks drafted Beauchamp 24th, trading for Reddish could give the Bucks to bring several young players along and develop them along the established players on the roster and potentially assist keeping the title window open longer.
Bucks General Manager Jon Horst has been active in trades in his tenure with the Bucks, stay tuned to see if that continues ahead of the 2022-23 season.