Third-year wing Cam Reddish displayed his potential in the 2021 playoffs.
Reddish, 22, played in four games last postseason for the Atlanta Hawks after he sat out the final 42 games of the 2020-2021 regular season and the first two series of the playoffs.
In the 2021 playoffs, Reddish averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
Reddish’s most impressive performance came in Game 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he scored 21 points on 58 percent shooting and shooting 6-of-7 from three-point range.
What might be most impressive was Reddish’s efficiency in the playoffs.
Reddish shot 52.8 percent from the floor, 64.3 percent from three-point range (first among qualifiers), and 80 percent at the free-throw line.
Al Horford is the only other player in Hawks history to average at least 12 points while shooting at a 50/60/80 clip.
The Hawks (17-24) have struggled in the 2021-2022 regular season after making the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
In 118 regular-season games, Reddish has averaged 11.1 points per game, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
In the 2021-2022 regular season, Reddish is shooting career-highs of 37.9 percent from three-point range and 90% from the free-throw line.
However, Reddish fought for minutes — 23.4 per game this season — with Hawks players Kevin Huerter, Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Andre Hunter.
It’s no wonder the New York Knicks traded for Reddish — the No. 10 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft — in exchange for a protected 2022 first-round pick (via the Charlotte Hornets) and fourth-year forward Kevin Knox.
The first-round pick is heavily protected: It can’t fall in the top 18 in 2022, or the top 16 in 2023, or the top-14 in 2024 or 2025.
The Knicks (21-21) also received Solomon Hill (out for the rest of the season) and a 2025 second-round pick.
ESPN Sources: The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks for a deal that includes a protected 2022 first-round pick via Charlotte. Knicks also acquire Solomon Hill and a 2025 second-round pick via Brooklyn in trade.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2022
As of Sunday afternoon, the Knicks stand in place at 10th place in the Eastern Conference.
Reddish can play either shooting guard or small forward.
While Reddish joins a crowded Knicks’ rotation, he is reunited with RJ Barrett, with whom he played in the 2018-2019 season at Duke.
“It’s great to play with my Duke brother again,” Barrett said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m happy, can’t wait until he gets here.”
Barrett said he hopes he can help Reddish gel with the Knicks.
“He’s 6-8, very skilled, (can) shoot the ball, finish with both hands, plays great defense,” Barrett said. “So you’re getting a good, talented player.”
Barrett starts alongside Julius Randle for the Knicks.
Plus, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has played Evan Fournier and Alec Burks significant minutes in the Knicks’ backcourt.
While rookie Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley have recently played off the bench in the backcourt, injured guards Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose are expected to return to the rotation.
However, Thibodeau told media members that Reddish will be out “for a while” with an ankle sprain.
Reddish’s last game for the Hawks came on Jan. 9 when he played three minutes in a 106-93 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Tom Thibodeau said Cam Reddish will be out "for a while" with his ankle sprain, but declined to give a timetable.
"It gives us an opportunity to look at Cam. … Size, athleticism, wing position. Sometimes a change of scenery is good for people. So we'll see how it unfolds."
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) January 14, 2022
Reddish is due to become a restricted free agent in 2023, and remains under contract with the Knicks through the 2022-2023 season.
He has good size at 6 feet, 8 inches; 217 pounds; he has a 7-foot, 1-inch wingspan; he has athleticism; defensive abilities and touch.
NEXT: 2 Knicks Veterans Who Need To Step Up