Yesterday the New York Knicks fired the opening salvo of the 2022 trade season, acquiring Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill, and a 2025 2nd Round Draft pick for Kevin Knox and a Hornets’ protected 1st Round Draft pick.
We can now officially retire Kevin Knox trades.
Reddish is a steal for New York, as the former number 10 overall pick and Duke teammate of RJ Barrett provides the offensive firepower and defensive size that the Knicks lack.
Knox has been out of the rotation for almost two years now and the Hornets’ 1st rounder will very possibly convey as two 2nd rounders instead.
Additionally, The Athletic reported Atlanta asked for Quentin Grimes and New York said no.
Leon Rose hit another one out of the park.
But the Reddish trade is the beginning, not the end of the decision-making for the Knicks higher-ups this season.
Another trade could follow, as Myles Turner is still on the market.
And with Reddish in the fold, the Knicks are going to have to figure out who’s in and who’s out of the rotation.
Reddish will primarily play backup small forward, but can slide over to shooting guard or potentially Power Forward.
Versatile and full of promise, he looks to have carved out a place in the Knicks rotation for the rest of the season.
But not every player will be able to say that. Let’s take a look at 3 possible rotations the Knicks will run with the addition of Reddish.
New York Knicks Rotation #1: Walker and Rose injured
STARTERS: Burks – Fournier – Barrett – Randle – Robinson
BENCH: Quickley – Grimes – Reddish – Toppin – Noel
This is the rotation we’re likely to see in the short term as Kemba and Rose are injured. It’s the easiest for Thibs, as Reddish slides right into the backup Small Forward spot, keeping the starting five and the rest of the bench unit intact.
We’ll probably see some of Grimes’ playing time decrease, as Thibs may want to stagger Burks so he can run point with the bench unit as well.
Reddish fits in nicely here, proving the length, shooting, and defense that fit perfectly in New York’s system.
I’d also be curious to see if Barrett is also staggered so he can play with the bench, as he’ll have even more freedom to run the show without Randle and Fournier on the court with him. In those moments, Reddish easily slides into Barrett’s spot.
Expect no big changes here, as Reddish should average around 20 minutes per night. Like Barrett, he could also play Shooting Guard if needed. The Knicks could run a huge lineup if he’s on the floor with the starters instead of Fournier.
As great of an addition as Reddish is, the Knicks are still left without an obvious answer at Point Guard. Alec Burks will continue to hold down the fort, as the Knicks have a handful of ball-dominant guys (Reddish included) who can run point in a pinch.
Until Rose and Walker come back, the starting job is Burks’. What happens when they do come back? That’s when things get tricky.
New York Knicks Rotation #2: Walker returns
STARTERS: Walker – Fournier – Barrett – Randle – Robinson
BENCH: Burks – Quickley – Reddish – Toppin – Noel
OUT: Grimes
When asked how Kemba was doing with his recovery, Thibs said “he’s close.”
Whatever that means, he’ll be back before Derrick Rose, and with his return restores the Knicks opening night lineup and spells Quentin Grimes out of the rotation.
Grimes’ 3-point shooting and defense have been essential for the Knicks since he made his debut, but the seniority of Kemba and the newly added Reddish make him the odd man out.
Even with his return, Walker may not play back-to-backs, so Grimes wouldn’t be riding the bench for the rest of the season.
Hopefully, Kemba can play like he did after he was benched. For the sake of the team and the sake of his trade value.
Led by Burks, adding Reddish to the second unit will bring pace and shooting that benefits everyone on the court.
More space for Toppin to drive to the hoop, another pick and roll partner for Quickley – watch for Reddish to have an outstanding plus / minus on the Knicks. He’s in good company with the bench.
It’s possible that Walker is left out here, but his recent play has earned him one more chance. Plus, Thibs won’t want to deal with the PR headache that was his initial benching.
Unfortunately for him, that day is inevitable. That takes us to rotation #3.
New York Knicks Rotation #3: Rose returns
STARTERS: Burks – Fournier – Barrett – Randle – Robinson
BENCH: Rose – Quickley – Reddish – Toppin – Noel
OUT: Walker, Grimes
Tom Thibodeau has got some decisions to make.
Derrick Rose isn’t expected back until February at the earliest, so he has some time to gameplan before he’s faced with an absolute logjam in the wings.
The Knicks just surrendered a 1st round pick for Reddish. Plus, he fits Thibs’ profile and despite being only 22 has been in the league for three years. So, you’d have to expect him to remain in the rotation.
Obviously the moment Rose is healthy he’ll be back on the court, as he’s still arguably New York’s most important player. So who does that leave out?
We saw that Walker’s return left Grimes out of the lineup, as he wasn’t in the rotation until the team was ravaged by Covid.
Unfortunately, Rose’s return will leave Walker out of the rotation, again.
Thibs will only play Kemba with the starting lineup. And with Rose’s return, he’ll be back at home with the bench unit (plus Reddish) that he’s gelled so well with.
After Walker’s enthralling return to the lineup, we were reminded of his chronic knee issues and lack of durability. He looks unable to play back-to-backs and quite frankly his motor just doesn’t run as well as it used to.
It will be awkward again, but Walker is the obvious choice to be left out.
All of this is to say that it would be very surprising if Walker was not delt by the trading deadline. The team didn’t want to find room for him earlier in the year. Now, they truly don’t have the minutes.
The obvious candidate is including him in a Myles Turner package. Or maybe he’ll be offloaded to a team like Dallas or Cleveland for a 2nd round pick. Fournier is also a possibility to be traded, but don’t a deal with him doesn’t seem likely until the offseason. As long as he’s on the roster, he’ll deservedly play.
In short: Walker out, Reddish in.