The New York Knicks are looking for a little magic at the close of trading. In that case, what better place than Orlando?
A trade proposal from FanNations “The Magic Insider” brings Manhattan and Central Florida together, proposing a swap that will catch up with the Knicks Mo Bamba while Isaiah Hartenstein and Cam Reddish move south.
Though Bamba, the sixth overall pick of the 2018 draft, reunited with Orlando last offseason, he’s no stranger to having his name associated with the Knicks, according to the media as the future Cleveland Cavalier sought new surroundings. Bamba, 24, from Harlem, averaged a career-best 10.6 points and 8.1 rebounds. He has returned to the reserve this time but could find an immediate opportunity in New York with starting center Mitchell Robinson out for at least three weeks.
TMI’s Jeremy Brener suggests the Knicks could also capitalize on the seven-footer’s newfound penchant for outside shooting: Bamba sunk a career-best 107 triples last season and is shooting 38 percent from deep over the past two seasons. The Knicks (33.7 percent) are ranked 26th in three-point win rate and enter the action Friday night.
“As a floor spacer, Bamba is shooting over 37 percent from threes this season,” notes Brener. “The Knicks are 26th in the NBA in three-point percentage, a number they need to improve if they want to make the playoffs this season.”
For Brener, the four teams behind the Knicks (25-21) in three-point wins (LA Lakers, Toronto, Houston and Charlotte) are currently outside the top ten in their respective conferences.
Acting on Reddish at this point feels like a no-brainer: The Atlanta first-round pick hasn’t played since Dec. 3, despite briefly breaking into the starting five earlier this season. A situation like Orlando’s … one where there’s nothing to play for but lottery positioning, and the second half of the season is used primarily for development purposes … could be perfect for Reddish to build the narrative on his NBA -Regain career.
As for Hartenstein, Tom Thibodeau’s demanding systems appear to have pushed him out of his comfort zone, resulting in Jericho Sims getting more minutes when Robinson missed the time. Sweetening the deal with Hartenstein would also be a way to ensure the Knicks keep their extensive first-round pick cabinet away from a backup center deal and secure that for the rainy day of a superstar (like maybe Zach LaVine ) can save.
The Knicks and Magic have feuded once before this season, with the Knicks prevailing at Madison Square Garden. They are scheduled to fight again in Orlando on February 7th.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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