J.J. Redick Not Expecting a Trade
By: Matt Watson Last Updated: 2/20/08 8:17 AM ET
J.J. Redick is in a curious situation. In his second year after being drafted 11th overall, he still can’t find the floor with the Orlando Magic.
Last year it looked like the problem was head coach Brian Hill, whose inability to develop the team’s young players was one of the reasons why he was ultimately fired in the summer. But this year under new hire Stan Van Gundy things have actually been worse: Redick is averaging just 8.2 minutes while playing less than every other game, down from 14.8 minutes in 42 games as a rookie.
Understandably not happy with his situation, Redick asked the Magic to trade him, but general manager Otis Smith told him it wasn’t going to happen. Is Redick flattered that Smith has such faith in him?
“I’m not really sure how to describe the situation,” said Redick following Tuesday’s game in Detroit. “Flattering is not the word I’d use to describe it. There’s a possibility they see me as an asset in the future and that’s why they’re not willing to include me in a trade.”
Redick does have his faults – there have been questions about his defense, as well as his ability to create his own shot. But for the most part, he’s yet to be given a chance to answer those questions. Most lottery picks are given the playing time to sink or swim on their own merit, but he can’t even crack the rotation to show what he can – or can’t – do.
Of course, there’s a chance that Smith is merely posturing for the rest of the league, giving the impression that Redick is unavailable so as to increase his trade value to a team desperate for his long-range shooting. But if that’s the case, he’s done a good job convincing Redick. When asked if he’s thought about where he might be after this week’s trade deadline, Redick quickly replied, “I’m going to be in Orlando, I know that.”
He’ll be in Orlando, alright, most likely at the end of the bench – where’s he’s been his entire career.
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