Knicks, Magic Trade Idea: Mo Bamba to New York?
With just three weeks to go before the NBA trade deadline, teams are scrambling to find a deal to help their teams grow, including the Orlando Magic.
We are going to help out the Magic with a trade scenario that makes sense for the team and the New York Knicks, a team looking to improve and make a playoff run.
Here's the trade:
Knicks receive: Mo Bamba
Magic receive: Isaiah Hartenstein, Cam Reddish
Mo Bamba, a New York native, is under a two-year deal with non-guaranteed money for next season. As a floor spacer, Bamba is shooting over 37 percent from three this season. The Knicks rank 26th in the NBA in three-point percentage, a number they will need to improve if they want to contend in the playoffs this season.
By trading Bamba to the Knicks, it eliminates a mini-logjam for the Magic.
Bamba would likely come off the bench for the Knicks, replacing Hartenstein's spot in the rotation. The Magic has been connected to Hartenstein before, reportedly showing interest in the 24-year-old big man in free agency.
However, trading Bamba for Hartenstein straight up doesn't do much for the Magic.
To sweeten the pot, the Knicks need to include something else, either picks or Cam Reddish.
Reddish, 23, is a restricted free agent this offseason and the Magic would get the first chance to match any offer he could receive in free agency. After falling out of the Knicks rotation, Reddish is looking for his third NBA home in as many years. He has tremendous talent as a former top high school recruit and lottery pick, but the fit has not been right in his stops with the Atlanta Hawks and Knicks.
The back half of the season is worth a trial run for the Magic and Reddish, and should he perform well, he could fixture into the rotation for next season and beyond.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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