How every NBA trade deadline deal affects the Orlando Magic – Early Edition
How every NBA trade deadline deal affects the Orlando Magic
Shoot your shot
This is the kind of move the Orlando Magic have been making for a while now. They have traded away some of their veteran players and expiring contracts to take a flier on a young player who needed a second chance.
That is something some Magic fans thought the team might do for Cameron Reddish. Instead, it is the Portland Trail Blazers who will take that flier on him while giving up an expiring contract in Josh Hart to get the deal done.
The Knicks are trading Cam Reddish and a protected future first-round pick to the Blazers for Hart, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/whB5mS8lfs
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
Reddish has played in only 20 games this year, averaging 8.4 points per game with 30.4-percent shooting from beyond the arc. it is getting harder to figure out what everyone is believing in from the former 10th overall pick from the 2019 NBA Draft. He just has never found a footing in the NBA.
Josh Hart is the real interesting piece of this deal. Unlike Reddish, Hart has a solid track record as a decent defender and shooter. He is hitting 9.5 points per game and 30.4 percent shooting. Those are not great numbers. But for the Knicks, this is a move meant to help them avoid the Play-In Tournament.
Hart has a player option for next year too. So the Knicks should have him around for next year. If Hart opts out, he could end up being an option for the Magic to pursue in free agency.
Orlando Magic better learn playoff precision and poise. dark. Next
That might be a bit far-fetched. The Magic need shooting and Hart has been a fairly inconsistent shooter throughout his career. Still, he fits the style of player Orlando typically pursues. If he does hit free agency, it would not surprise me if the Magic chase after him.
For now, it seems like Hart will have this year and next year with the Knicks.