Should the OKC Thunder trade for Cam Reddish, who is once again available?

The OKC Thunder are in the midst of their rebuild with a never-before-seen mountain of draft picks compiled by Sam Presti in a quest to get the Oklahoma City Thunder organization back to title contention. With so many assets, the Thunder are going to be lumped into every trade discussion around the NBA even if it is for nothing more than leverage for the negotiation.

So, as Cam Reddish is put back on the trading block by the Atlanta Hawks, it is only natural fans begin to link Reddish to the OKC Thunder. This is not the first time the Hawks have floated reports to the media that Reddish could be had. Ultimately, it feels as though a move will happen regarding the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft at some point this season as the Hawks seemingly have no interest in extending the 22-year-old wing as the organization has other mouths to feed at the negotiation table.

Should the OKC Thunder trade for Cam Reddish?

The Duke product will be a restricted free agent in 2023 while being eligible for a rookie-scale extension that Atlanta seemingly does not want to pay. He is owed 4.6-million dollars in 2021-22, and 5.9-million dollars in 2022-23.

The Hawks organization does not just want to see Reddish walk out of the door for nothing, they are seeking a first-round pick in return for their third-year small forward. The Thunder have 20 first-round picks at their disposal between now and 2028, a single first-round selection is a drop in the bucket for Sam Presti, but should the OKC Thunder get involved in this trade negotiation?

Let’s just say the Oklahoma City Thunder trade the 2024 Utah Jazz first-round pick for Cam Reddish, would that be worth it for the Thunder to take a shot on a tangible wing? The Thunder would need to clear a roster spot with the most likely option being to wave Gabriel Deck if the Hawks would not like the power forward in the package.

Reddish has played in 23 games this season, not cracking the starting lineup once, averaging a career-low 22-minutes per game. Chipping in a career-high 11.2 points per game, on a career-best 40-percent shooting from the floor and career-best 36-percent from distance. Reddish also contributed 2.7-rebounds and an assist per game. Defensively, he swipes a steal per contest.

The 22-year-old posts a career-high 20.9-percent usage percentage and scorches the nets at a 52-percent clip from three-point land in the corners.

While there is a reason the Hawks are not clinging to Reddish, and he still needs a lot of work, Mark Daigneault and the Thunder developmental staff are designed to take a shot on players like Cam Reddish and help them reach their ceiling as players. OKC has the draft assets to turn their risk/reward into an acceptable ratio to make a move like this.

The ball is in Sam Presti’s court, and OKC Thunder fans will rightfully trust his judgment. My vote is, sure, why not? A roster spot spent on Reddish is better than one spent on Gabriel Deck who the organization refuses to play.