Knicks are looking for Cam Reddish to trade with them, Heat interested

In the wake Knicks‘ Mitchell Robinson’s Fractured thumb right – Surgery required. Here’s a look at how New York can replace his injured center during his absence.

HART ATACK

The Knicks signed center Isaiah Hartenstein to a two-year deal in the offseason to back up Robinson. Hartenstein had several suitors in free agency. Hartenstein was a 24-year-old, so the Knicks had no choice but to be aggressive in their pursuit. When they landed him, the Knicks believed Hartenstein could provide the versatility (shooting, passing) that they’d previously lacked at the position.

That theory will be put under the microscope in the wake of Robinson’s thumb injury.

Hartenstein would be the perfect New Yorker in a perfect world. Jericho Sims It’s easy to slide into the rotation. The Knicks will remain competitive during Robinson’s absence and pick up where they left off once he returns. But the numbers suggest that replacing Robinson won’t be so simple.

The difference in the Knicks’ net rating with him on the court (+8.2) and off the court (-1.2) is significant. Knick rotation players rank the +9.3 mark as the highest. Robinson is on the floor in New York, and New York averages four more second-chance point per game. His impact on defense extends beyond the numbers.

Hartenstein’s net-rating differential is -5.4, lowest among Knick rotation players outside of RJ Barrett.

Obviously, that statistic doesn’t fully encompass a player’s impact, but it gives you some context on how much Robinson has impacted winning for the Knicks thus far.

Something else worth noting in the wake of Robinson’s injury: the Knicks played at a pace near the bottom of the NBA with him on the court this season. Robinson was not on the court, so they played at a top-10 speed. So maybe the pace will increase during Robinson’s absence?

Hartenstein, Sims and Robinson will play faster or slower depending on their abilities. And Tom Thibodeau Could also be played Julius Randle The center.

If the Knicks are looking for insurance at center during Robinson’s absence, Serge Ibaka He is one of a few veteran big men they could follow. Nerlens Noel Available on the Trade Market However, it would be an odd reunion as the Knicks traded Noel in the offseason Cap space to allow for Jalen Brunson signing.

I’d be surprised if the Knicks pursued a bigger name like Myles Turner This is the point. Could New York expand its rotation to include Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose Oder Cam Reddish? That’s unclear.

But it’s worth noting that teams in touch with the Knicks say they are seeking a second-round pick in return for Reddish in a trade.

New York trade Kevin Knox A first-round selection (protected 1-16, 1-14, and 1-14 in 2024, respectively) per RealGMReddish in January 2022.

Thibodeau used Thibodeau infrequently after the trade. He was a regular player for New York in the earlier part of the season. Quentin Grimes Reddish was sidelined with a foot injury. Reddish was removed from the rotation following the Knicks’ home loss to Dallas on December 3. Thibodeau cut his rotation and added Thibodeau. Miles McBride.

Since the rotation change, Knicks have gone 15-8. Since that time, Reddish is a DNP-CD.

Several teams have been monitoring Reddish’s situation in New York, dating back to last season. Reddish was a topic of concern for the Lakers, Bucks and Heat since the 2022 NBA trade deadline. I’d assume that those three teams – and others – have remained in touch with New York on Reddish. Miami’s team personnel are fascinated by the 23 year-old.

It’s logical to assume the Knicks try to get as much as they can in any Reddish deal, whether the trade sends out Reddish alone or as part of a package of Knicks. However, they have discussed with teams the possibility of regaining a future second rounder in Reddish deals.

TOUGH SCHEDULE

New York is home to the second-toughest schedule. according to Tankathon.com. It seems that the schedule has been relatively easy so far. But a closer look shows the Knicks’ schedule has had its challenges.

They are the only NBA team that hasn’t played a game in which they’ve had a ‘rest advantage,’ which occurs when you are playing after a practice/rest day and your opponent is playing the second game of a back-to-back.

The Knicks are the team with the most games in which their opponent is at a rest disadvantage for the season (seven). There are only two games that they will have a rest advantage in the upcoming season. This net (-5 rest games), is tied with the Warriors as the second-lowest NBA mark. The Spurs (-6 rest advantage games) have the league’s lowest mark.

For the season, both the Raptors and Lakers have net +6 in rest benefit games.

The Knicks’ overtime loss to Toronto on Monday is an example of a rest disadvantage game. New York was in the second game of a back to back (the previous one being played on the road at Detroit). The game tipped off at 3 p.m. and Toronto was off the previous day and already in New York. The Knicks’ home loss on Dec. 21 to the Raptors was also the second game of a home back-to-back. Toronto played the Raptors in that game following an off-day during a road trip.

A note on the schedule: New York is 4-4 in home games that begin at 3 p.m. They are 11-13 at home.