Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros And Cons Of Pursuing J.J. Redick

Con: Age

If the New York Knicks manage to sign shooting guard J.J. Redick, they’d likely need to offer him a three or four-year deal. That’s a risky proposition, but he’s earned the right to have a long-term contract moving forward.

That fits the quality of his ability as a player, but his age is a factor that will need to be weighed and considered at the negotiating table.

Redick will turn 33 years of age on June 24—a week before free agency begins. Thus, if Redick were to sign a three or four-year deal, he’d be with the Knicks through either the 2019-20 or 2020-21 seasons.

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing due to his shooting ability and leadership, but it would keep Redick on the roster up through the ages of either 35 or 36.

Even with his ageless ability to space the floor, trusting Redick to perform at $16 million per season level at 35 or 36 years of age would be tough to justify. He’d turn 37 after his contract ended, but he’d still be a 36-year-old shooting guard in an increasingly more athletic NBA.

Redick would help the Knicks improve as a team, but he wouldn’t fit the timeline of developing Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, or New York’s 2017 Top 10 draft pick.