1: Evan Fournier and Cam Reddish to the Pacers for Buddy Hield
In my opinion, this is my favorite trade out of all the ones we have looked at so far. Buddy Hield is not only the best player out of the aforementioned players, but this trade would also clear up the logjam surrounding Cam Reddish’s status on the team.
Don’t get me wrong, I am very appreciative of Reddish’s early play, however, the question surrounding whether to play him or Quentin Grimes still remains. Personally, due to the three-point shooting and defense Grimes brings to the table, I believe he could be more valuable than Reddish.
Regardless, this trade would have the Knicks sending over Fournier, Reddish, and a second-round pick in exchange for Hield.
Hield is obviously the better player over Fournier and Reddish, but with the Pacers very obviously tanking this season, they would likely be interested in adding a young player in Reddish alongside Fournier’s shooting to replace Hields.
In all honesty, a second-round pick may be undervaluing Hield, as I think this could cost the Knicks at least a protected first. However, a player of Hield’s caliber with the shooting he brings is well worth the price of a protected pick.
This season, Hield is averaging 18.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 3.7 APG while shooting 47.7% from the field and 42.5% from three. Obviously, Hield is not a great defender, but the consistency he brings to the court is what elevates him over Fournier by a mile.
As much as I want the Knicks to pull off this sort of trade, I am unsure of how willing the front office would be to send off a first-round pick, whether it is protected or not.
It makes far more sense for Knicks to trade Evan Fournier, not Julius Randle
The 2022-23 season has only just begun, but New York Knicks fans are already calling for Evan Fournier and Julius Randle to be traded.