3 early trades the Bulls should make to improve on last season’s success
By Max Westwood
The Chicago Bulls take a flier on former top draft pick Cam Reddish
Why the Bulls would do this trade:
With Cam Reddish being a former lottery pick he obviously is someone who has all the talent, size, and fluidity to his game, he just has not been able to put all three together consistently. Reddish is someone who at a minimum can provide spacing, wing defense, and depth to an already thin wing rotation for the Bulls.
However, the main reason Chicago is doing this trade is to take a chance on the undeniable potential Reddish has. It was only two seasons ago when Reddish, then a part of the Hawks on their 2020-21 playoff run, averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals with shooting splits of 52.8% from the field, 64.3% from downtown and 80% from the free throw line, against the Bucks in Eastern Conference Finals despite coming off an injury. If the Bulls can receive consistent production like that from Reddish, he would be the spark the Bulls desperately need off the bench.
Why the Knicks would do this trade:
The Knicks would undertake this deal to avoid Reddish’s impending restricted free agency. Per Fred Katz of the Athletic, Reddish and the Knicks did not come to an agreement for a rookie extension before the deadline. This means that Reddish is a restricted free agent come the end of this season, trading Reddish gives the Knicks the opportunity to get something in return for a player who is more than likely not going to be in the rotation opening night, rather than losing him for nothing in free agency.
However, the Knicks would need to wait until December 14 at the earliest to execute this deal, due to Jones Jr.’s recently-signed contract restriction.