JJ Redick and Duke Basketball Fansite

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.

More than a year and a half into his NBA career, J.J. Redick looks like another wasted first-round draft pick.

Magic general manager Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy insist otherwise.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of him not being able to play,” Smith said. “I know Stan has said it, and I’ve said it ,and I’m sure J.J. is saying the same thing, that he’s capable of playing in this league, and capable of playing on this team. We just have to create spot for him.”

Van Gundy is almost profuse in his praise of Redick’s ability and practice habits, but the kid hasn’t even gotten off the bench in 12 of the last 14 games.

Redick has let the Magic know that he hears the clock ticking and wants to play somewhere. He would rather be traded than sit through another season like this. Until Wednesday’s trading deadline passes, the possibility cannot be dismissed that Smith and Van Gundy are posturing. Redick is only 23 and everybody knows he can shoot and score in bunches. Surely he has some value around the NBA.

But there are three good reasons why the Magic don’t want to give up on Redick yet - Maurice Evans, Keyon Dooling and Carlos Arroyo. All of their contracts are expiring. Theoretically, Redick and Jameer Nelson could be the only guards left on the Magic roster come July 1.

Redick is an insurance policy.

“It’s fair and it’s unfair,” Smith said. ” A lot of people come into this league and sit for the first one, two, three, seven or eight years and then all of a sudden they play and it’s like: ‘Where have they been?’

“He has to wait his turn. I sat on Doug Moe’s bench for a little while. It didn’t hurt me. I was like J.J. I just kept working my butt off, and I honestly believed an opportunity would present itself, and that’s exactly what happened. Somebody went down, I ended up playing.”

If the Magic get knocked out by an offer for Redick in the next few days, they will probably take it. But that isn’t likely to happen, and Smith seems disinclined to make a trade anyway. His team stands third in the East and is positioned to win a playoff series for the first time in 12 years.

“I like our team. I like where we are and I like the direction we’re going, in spite of the fact that we’ve lost a few games here lately,” Smith said. “We’re in the top five or six in every offensive category; offense is not the problem.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that J.J.’s going to be a player in this league, and fairly soon. With that said, all of us have to be patient, including J.J.”

[Dick Scanlon can be reached at dick.scanlon@theledger.com or at 863-802-7554. ]

As the deadline looms (the 21st) everyone seems to have their own speculations about Redick. Here’s a take at the Orlando Sentinel.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2008/02/redick-for-hasl.html

Philip, one of our readers believes he’s staying, at least until next year. I have to agree judging from all of the comments spewed out by Otis and Van Gundy recently.

Florida Today’s John Denton has been following JJ Redick for quite some time. Denton takes a look at what makes JJ tick and whats in store for him in the future.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/SPORTS/802080352/1002/SPORTS

Thanks to Philip for the heads up on the article from Denton.

Thats a pretty much in your face stance.
Orlando Sentinel article

Van Gundy doesn’t want to trade him because his other guards MAY leave. I have a feeling this is going to get ugly before too much longer.