Knicks Rumors: Lakers, Heat, Bucks Have Expressed Interest in Cam Reddish Trade
Dec 8, 2022
New York Knicks forward Cam Reddish during an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
It was less than a year ago that the New York Knicks acquired forward Cam Reddish in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, but the team has reportedly been fielding offers to ship him away for quite some time.
"[S]everal teams have expressed interest in trading for Reddish since the Knicks acquired him in January 2022," SNY's Ian Begley wrote. "The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams who reached out to New York in that span."
Reddish was removed from the Knicks rotation this week and hasn't played since last Saturday's 21-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks. New York has won back-to-back games since then and has a 12-13 record.
On Wednesday, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reported that the Knicks were working with Reddish and his representatives to secure a deal for him. However, the 23-year-old later said that he wasn't trying to force his way off the team.
"I haven't requested any trades," he said, per Peter Botte of the New York Post. "I have not. Y'all seem to know more than me, for real. I don't know what y'all talking about, but I haven't requested no trade, nothing like that."
Reddish has failed to make an impact since he entered the league as the No. 10 overall pick in 2019. The Duke product has a career average of 10.2 points on 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 32.3 percent from beyond the arc. Still, he is young and he has the potential to develop into a contributor in the right situation.
The Bucks are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but they could use some extra firepower to compete against the defending conference-champion Boston Celtics. The Heat have been bitten by the injury bug early in the season and lack depth.
Begley noted that the Lakers and Knicks had engaged in discussions recently about a potential trade that would've required a third team to complete. Los Angeles has an open roster spot after waiving Matt Ryan and desperately needs to add shooting.
For now, Reddish will continue to ride the bench when the Knicks return to action on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets (7-18).
Knicks Fans Rip Trae Young's Shooting Woes vs. NY as Hawks Lose Sans Dejounte Murray
Dec 8, 2022
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) goes to the basket against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Wednesday evening couldn't have gone much worse for Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks, who fell 113-89 to the host New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Dejounte Murray departed after four minutes with a left ankle sprain and did not return. Atlanta looked lost without him on both ends and notably made just 6-of-36 three-pointers,
Bogdan Bogdanovic missed all 10 of his attempts from beyond the arc. Young made 9-of-20 field goals but missed all four of his three-pointers. That marked the first time all season he did not hit at least one three-pointer in a game.
On a night where Young wore "King of Broadway" sneakers during pregame warmups, the Hawks star was anything but en route to a minus-26 performance. He sat the entire fourth quarter with the game well out of hand.
Meanwhile, the Knicks were led by Julius Randle and his 34 points, 17 rebounds and five assists. Quentin Grimes added 23 points, including 5-of-7 three-pointers.
This has not been a good year for Young, who is posting career-worst marks from the field and the three-point line. His three-point percentage has dipped below 30 percent.
The talented superstar has seen much better days, especially at the Garden, where he led the Hawks to a first-round playoff victory over New York in 2021 and simultaneously became one of the Knicks fanbase's most hated villains.
But the Knicks crushed the Hawks on this day, and Twitter criticized Young's performance.
What happened to @TheTraeYoung?When he doesnt have the ball all he ever does is stand by half court. How does that help your team when you dont even shoot 30% from 3 đđ
Thereâs this dislike on Trae Young, thereâs confidence and thereâs cocky. Trae is cocky and heâs wearing shoes stating âKing of Broadwayâ your teamâs down 23 to the Knicks. Youâre not that guyâŠ.
Trae Young is a ball hog and a cry baby. He doesn't play any defense and is a selfish player. He really thinks he can beat a team by himself. The Hawks will not go far with his play as of lately.
Trae Young is shooting his highest volume ever in his career (21.6 FGA) and lowest FG% (40.8%). Pretty inexcusable after the Hawks made the move to add Dejounte
Young and the 13-12 Hawks have now lost five of their last seven games. They'll stay in New York to take on the Brooklyn Nets Friday evening.
NBA Trade Rumors: Wizards' Kyle Kuzma Interests Hawks, Suns Ahead of Deadline
Dec 6, 2022
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 2: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards looks on before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 2, 2022 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
Having lost six of their last seven games and fallen to 10th place in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Wizards could have some big decisions to make looking ahead to the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 9.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Kyle Kuzma has caught the attention of several teams, including the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns, if Washington decides to move on from the 27-year-old forward.
There have been rumblings about widespread interest in Kuzma for some time. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on his podcast last week (starts at 47:40 mark) that executives on opposing teams have heard "they're trying to get Kuzma out of Washington."
Charania reported last month the Suns have expressed interest in multiple forwards, including Kuzma, Harrison Barnes and KJ Martin.
Phoenix continues to be in the market for another shooter as it explores trades involving Jae Crowder.
The Hawks have a potential trade chip to dangle in front of Washington if they want to go after Kuzma. John Collins has seemingly been on the block for years, but he remains in Atlanta for the time being.
According to Charania, the Wizards "have shown interest" in Collins and they "seriously discussed a potential deal" for the 25-year-old last offseason.
Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard told Charania that Kuzma "has so much more room to grow" as a player and "weâre really excited for his future growth here."
Kuzma's contract pays him $13 million this season and includes a $13 million player option for 2023-24. He is averaging career highs in scoring average (20.6 points per game), rebounds (7.7) and assists (3.6) in 23 starts.
This marks the second consecutive season the Wizards have fallen off after a hot start. They were 10-3 through 13 games in 2021-22 but finished 25-44 over their final 69 games to miss the playoffs.
Washington was 10-7 after a 106-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 20. The team is now 11-13 overall in the midst of its recent rough stretch.
The Wizards haven't made the playoffs in three of the previous four seasons. They haven't won a postseason series since the 2016-17 season.
Hawks' Trae Young on Nate McMillan Exchange: 'A Private Matter Needs to Stay Private'
Dec 5, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 28: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 28, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young raised eyebrows after his surprising absence from Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets, but he was in no mood to discuss the situation on Monday.
After Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that an exchange between Young and head coach Nate McMillan led to him being away from the team during a 117-109 victory, the two-time All-Star is not happy how that information got out. While speaking to reporters on Monday, he declined to explain his side of the story and instead lamented on his annoyance at the matter being made public.
"We're all grown men here, and sometimes we don't always agree," Young said. "It's unfortunate that private situations and private conversations get out to the public, but I guess that's the world we live in now. But I'm just focused on basketball and focused on helping my team win, and that's what I've got to get to refocusing on."
When questioned further about his absence from the game, Young sternly said, "A private matter needs to stay private."
"You don't know the full story. ...A private matter needs to stay private"
Charania and Amick reported Sunday that McMillan presented Young with an ultimatum to either come off the bench or not show up to the arena at all after he wanted to miss the pregame shootaround to focus on treatment for his injured right shoulder.
Young, who was planning to make a decision later in the day after treatment, chose not to play and was listed as out with shoulder soreness.
The 24-year-old didn't face any disciplinary action from the team and returned to practice on Sunday. McMillan described the situation as "just a miscommunication." However, the report from Charania and Amick indicated a deeper issue within the franchise, stating there were "multiple team meetings early this season to resolve various conflicts."
Atlanta sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 13-10, but it has struggled to maintain consistency through the early part of the season.
With Young returning to the lineup on Monday, the Hawks will be going for their third straight win when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder (10-13).
Report: Trae Young Sat Out Hawks Game After Exchange with Nate McMillan over Injury
Dec 4, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 28: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 28, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young missed Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets after an exchange with head coach Nate McMillan that led to an ultimatum, per Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
According to the report, Young wanted to focus on treatment on his injured right shoulder while missing the pregame shootaround, planning to decide later in the day if he would play. McMillan responded by offering him a choice to either come off the bench or do not show up to the arena.
Young chose not to play and was ruled out because of shoulder soreness in what became a 117-109 win.
"It was just a miscommunication in that situation with Trae," McMillan said Sunday, per Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
There was no disciplinary action against Young, and he returned to practice Sunday. He is expected to return to the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
According to The Athletic, it's part of a larger issue for the Hawks after "multiple team meetings early this season to resolve various conflicts."
The Hawks are 13-10 in McMillan's third year with the team, fourth in the Eastern Conference, though expectations are high after acquiring All-Star Dejounte Murray in the offseason to pair with Young in the backcourt.
Young remains the go-to option averaging 27.8 points and 9.6 assists per game, while Murray has impressed with 21.4 points and 6.7 assists per game. Depth has been a question mark, however, after trading away Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari. The return of Bogdan BogdanoviÄ will help, but John Collins is now expected to miss at least two weeks with an ankle injury, per Charania.
Adding locker room issues could only exacerbate the Hawks' problems going forward and put McMillan under pressure to keep things on track.
NBA Trade Rumors: Heat 'Willing to Move' Kyle Lowry amid 3-Year, $85M Contract
Dec 4, 2022
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 2: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on December 2, 2022 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat are reportedly "willing to move" point guard Kyle Lowry in a trade, but finding a partner who would give them a desired return package may be difficult.
Ric Bucher of Fox Sports reported Miami is open to such a deal but noted "at 37, and with another year left on a three-year $85 million deal, it's hard to identify a team that would take him on and provide the Heat with an upgrade."
Miami is in win-now mode after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season and the NBA Finals during the 2019-20 campaign, but consistency has been an issue in the early portion of the 2022-23 season.
It is just 11-12 and in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
While that is good enough for the play-in tournament, it is nowhere near where the presumed championship contender wants to be even with plenty of time remaining to turn things around before the playoffs.
Lowry is a Toronto Raptors legend and has been a solid contributor for the Heat, but they could overcome losing him from the rotation with the right pieces back in any trade.
He is averaging 14.8 points, 6.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game behind 40.2 percent shooting from the field and 35.1 percent shooting from deep this season. The six-time All-Star is no longer in his prime, but he could still help a contender down the stretch in a move.
The contract, as Bucher mentioned, limits the options for the Heat, especially when it comes to non-contenders.
Teams in rebuilding mode aren't going to look to add a contract that doesn't expire for an aging veteran, so the traditional contender-lands-an-impact-player-from-rebuilding-team swap might not work with Lowry unless draft pick capital is also included.
For now, Lowry remains on the Heat as the team looks to turn things around following an inconsistent start.
Wizards' Bradley Beal Says 'There Were No Teams in' Free Agency He Could've Won With
Dec 4, 2022
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 2: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 2, 2022 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
Bradley Beal has been with the Washington Wizards his entire career and apparently didn't have many choices when it came to joining a contender this past offseason.
The three-time All-Star, who re-signed with the Wizards on a five-year maximum contract worth $251 million this offseason, appeared on the No Chill with Gilbert Arenaspodcast and explained why he made such a decision.
"There were no teams in the market, free-agency-wise," he said. "I'm just being frank. There was nowhere else for me to go where I can be like, 'Oh, I can go win.' It was teams that strategically wasn't what I wanted."
Beal also suggested he appreciated the "voice" he has in the Washington organization and wanted the opportunity to play with Kristaps Porzingisâwho he called "probably the best big I've played with"âand Kyle Kuzma.
Washington has played well at times this season and is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings at 10-11. That would qualify for the play-in tournament, and Beal is averaging 24.1 points, 5.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
Things are trending in the wrong direction for the Wizards with losses in five of their last six games, but there is still enough talent to reach the playoffs. And they know they can build around Beal in the future as well.
NBA Trade Rumors: Wizards Among Teams Eyeing Suns' Jae Crowder Ahead of Deadline
Nov 30, 2022
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 15: Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns arrives to the arena before the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on May 15, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)
As Jae Crowder remains on the trade block, the Washington Wizards have reportedly emerged as a potential suitor for the Phoenix Suns' estranged forward.
"There's been some chatter about them looking at a guy like Jae Crowder," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast Wednesday (h/t RealGM). "I'm pretty confident there's been some discussions between the Wizards and the Suns. We've been talking about Jae Crowder now for about two months. It's obvious it's a hard trade to pull off. The Wizards have a bunch of guys who make decent salaries on their roster they can use in a trade."
Windhorst added that the Suns are seeking a power forward in any Crowder deal, and the Wizards are fairly loaded at the position with Kyle Kuzma, Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija on the roster.
It seems unlikely Kuzma will be moved, as he's thriving this season, averaging 20.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, though he's shooting just 31.3 percent from three. He and Avdija (7.6 PPG, 5.1 APG) have largely served as the team's starting pair at forward, with Hachimura (11.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG) coming off the bench.
Crowder, 32, would give the Suns an injection of experience and scrappy defense. The veteran forward averaged 9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last year in Phoenix, shooting 34.8 percent from three, but had a falling out with the team over the offseason.
Per Windhorst, "Crowder was informed over the summer that he may lose his starting job this season, sources said, and it prompted him to request a trade."
Crowder, for his part, denied those reports:
My @NBAonTNT in-game report on my conversation with Suns forward Jae Crowder, who is away from the team and waiting on a trade: âItâs definitely not true of the narrative being pushed about me starting or not.â pic.twitter.com/QL41N3Njub
The irony is that the player he lost his job to, Cam Johnson, is now likely out until some point in 2023 after requiring surgery on his right meniscus.
But Windhorst reported earlier in November that "despite Johnson's injury, there is no change to the situation with Crowder, and there are no current plans for him to return to the team, sources said."
It appeared as though the Suns were getting closer to a trade in mid-November, with multiple reports suggesting talks had progressed.
There have been some credible rumbles this week that the Suns have made progress on finding a trade resolution to the Jae Crowder saga. Crowder's cryptic IG story appears to address to feed into that notion ...
Word is the Suns appeared close to finalizing a three-team trade involving Jae Crowder prior tip-off tonight against Golden State. https://t.co/VTRjU3HBRu
Nothing has happened as of yet, however, though the Wizards reportedly are taking a closer look.
Terrence Ross' Best Landing Spots If Magic Deal Veteran by 2023 NBA Trade Deadline
Nov 26, 2022
Orlando Magic's Terrence Ross plays during an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Orlando Magic shooting guard Terrence Ross could emerge as a popular target ahead of the 2023 NBA trade deadline in February.
Ross expressed interest in a trade after last season, saying the team's front office was "well aware" of his desire to join a team in better position to contend.
"We're definitely in different spots," Ross told reporters in April. "I feel like I'm a part of that old regime, and they're going in a different direction. I don't know what they've got in store for me. It's hard to say. They don't really let me know too much about what they're doing. I'm kind of here just along for the ride."
An offseason trade never arrived, but he'll probably land back on the trade block over the next few months with Orlando fading out of contention.
Ross has proved himself a mostly effective
role player across 11-plus NBA seasons. His career started as a
first-round pick of the Toronto Raptors in 2012, and the University of Washington product was traded
to the Magic in 2017, where he's spent the past five years.
The 31-year-old is a capable scorer, averaging 11.2 points and 1.8 threes across 687 games, but his impact in other areas is limited. He's averaged
2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in his career.
One concern that emerged in recent seasons is his defense. He rated a minus-3.4 in FiveThirtyEight's
defensive Raptor last season, which was far below his mark in previous years and
basically washed out any effectiveness he's enjoyed at the offensive
end. It's a troublesome trend that's continued in the early stages this season (minus-0.9).
Ross never performed that poor
defensively in prior years, so it's possible the issues are related to
Orlando's teamwide struggles (5-14 record) and he'll bounce back to more average
performance levels following a trade.
What the Portland, Oregon, native definitely
brings is versatility. The 6'7", 206-pound forward is able to play multiple positions thanks to
his length and athleticism, and he's experienced as both a starter
and a reserve.
"I've done both, so I'm comfortable
with doing both," Ross told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel last October about starting or coming off the bench. "It's not like
either would be new to me."
Let's examine several potential landing spots if he's moved before the deadline.
Los Angeles Lakers
Ross would be a low-risk addition
for the Lakers, who are desperately seeking a spark after a 6-11 start to the season. He would represent a scoring boost off the
bench at minimum, and there's a legitimate chance he could provide even
more value if his defense returns to its usual level.
The Lakers rank last in the NBA in both three-pointers made per game (9.1) and three-point shooting percentage (30.6). So, while their roster needs a lot of work to move back toward contention, a reliable outside shooter may top the list.
Ross, who's shooting 39.2 percent from beyond the arc this season, should slot in as key wing
depth behind LeBron James and Austin Reaves upon his arrival in L.A.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks' trade of Kevin Huerter, who's enjoying a breakout season with the Sacramento Kings, got lost amid the team's busy offseason, but it's left the team a little short on three-point shooting behind Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.
Atlanta sits 29th in threes per game (9.6) and 26th in three-point percentage (32.7), but the team still ranks ninth in scoring (114.8 points per game), which suggests the offense has top-five potential if it's able to add another outside shooter or two.
Ross certainly fits the bill given his success from long range so far this season, and he'd also provide some veteran leadership for a squad looking to reach contender status.
Toronto Raptors
A reunion with the Raptors would not only be a cool storyline, but it could provide a spark for an offense that's been a bit sluggish during a 9-9 start to the season.
Toronto ranks 17th in points per game (111.7), 23rd in threes made (11.0) and 25th in three-point percentage (33.1). Those problems are magnified when Fred VanVleet, who's missed six of the team's 18 games, is out of the lineup.
Ross could provide a nice boost to the Raptors' backcourt reserve group, and it would also be a chance for him to write a second chapter with the organization following an initial up-and-down five-year run in Toronto.
NBA Rumors: Jazz Rebuffed Hawks' Interest in John Collins-for-Lauri Markkanen Trade
Nov 23, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the LA Clippers on November 21, 2022 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Atlanta Hawks reportedly approached the Utah Jazz hoping to trade John Collins for Lauri Markkanen.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that the Jazz rejected the offer, which "did not generate any traction."
It's not hard to see why the Jazz would reject such an offer. Markkanen has been one of the breakout players of the NBA's first month, averaging 22.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game to help spur the Jazz's surprising 12-7 start.
"I think it's been the overall game coming together,â Markkanen told Tony Jones of The Athletic. "Working on my overall game, working on where my spots are on the floor. I've just been trying to bring everything together and just keep working on the overall package. I think the important thing is not being satisfied. I have to know that there are a lot of things that I can keep improving. It's a process."
Collins, meanwhile, is in the midst of arguably his worst NBA season. His points per game have dropped for the third straight campaign, down from 21.6 in 2019-20 to 12.6 this season. He also has not developed into an elite rim protector the way the Hawks hoped and is shooting a career-low 26.9 percent from behind the arc.
The Hawks have made Collins a regular fixture on the trade market for years and haven't been able to find a taker to meet their asking price. Shopping him around now at the nadir of his value isn't going to lead to many fruitful conversationsâespecially if Atlanta management is seeking a player like Markkanen.
Collins is in just the second season of a five-year, $125 million deal. While he has a player option for the 2025-26 campaign, it's highly unlikely he'll turn down $26.6 million given the trajectory of his career.
If the Hawks want to trade Collins and recoup any value that will help them on the floor, they're going to have to wait and see if he turns his season around.
