It is an openly kept secret that veteran JJ Redick wants to leave the New Orleans Pelicans. The team is also willing to let him go, since they want to promote youth. Redick has a few destinations in mind, and one of them is the New York Knicks.
There are other contending teams he could go to as well, to retire with at least one ring on his resume. But if that doesn’t work out, he would fit perfectly with the Knicks. They are currently 9-13 and are 11th in the Eastern Conference. They have just one win in their last six games. And their poor offense is the main reason behind those losses.
So how can JJ Redick help the New York Knicks?
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The Knicks rank in the league in points scored per game. They have just three reliable scorers in Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and rookie Immanuel Quickley who has been the talk of the town. Although he averaged 15 points per last game last season and shot an outstanding 45% from three.
This season his numbers have gone down because he has barely been used. But if called to action, he can easily give them around 12 points every night.
The Knicks also rank last in the league when it comes to three-pointers made, and 26th in percentage. Redick will help to bridge this gap and improve them majorly. He is a career 41% shooter, and the Knicks need someone like him. The only veteran on their roster is Austin Rivers currently, so Redick’s experience will also boost this young squad.
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What will the Knicks have to give up?
Redick wants to leave, and the Pelicans are willing to let him go, so the ask shouldn’t be too high. The Knicks could throw in young guard Dennis Smith Jr and a future second-rounder, and that might be enough.
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There are a lot of upsides to bringing in Redick, which is why they should push for him before a contending team swoops in. Unless the demand for him is too much, there is no reason why the Knicks should pursue this deal, because Redick could help them in this playoff race, and bring them back to the postseason for the first time since 2013.