By almost all accounts, Josh Hart is the most likely Portland Trail Blazer to be dealt at this year’s NBA trade deadline. The 6-foot-5 guard is reportedly in high demand among contending teams.
It makes sense for Portland to trade Hart – his current deal essentially makes him a $13 million expiring contract. He’s a big, strong, defensive-minded guard who also happens to be one of the best rebounders in the league from a backcourt spot.
Despite his lack of willingness to shoot this year (career-low 2.1 3-point attempts per game) and failure to actually make the shots he does put up (career low 30% from deep), his defense and rebounding are valuable assets for a championship-caliber team to have at its disposal.
But a half-season rental who plays on one end of the court will only net so much in return.
What kind of packages can the Blazers expect to get back, if and when they deal Hart?
1. Adding a big man
Realistically, this idea could/should apply to any trade that sends Hart out the door. Portland desperately needs size, and if Hart is the Blazers’ best asset, he’s their best chance at acquiring it.
This is a simple swap of “you take my contract and I’ll take yours.”
Bamba has fallen behind Moe Wagner and Bol Bol in the center rotation, and with the return of Jonathan Isaac, will likely see even fewer minutes. He’s already 12th on the Magic in minutes per game as it is. Clearly, the 24-year-old is not in Orlando’s future plans.
And Bamba is indeed officially available in trade talks, as reported by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
The No. 6 pick in the 2018 draft still carries the allure of a two-way big that can stretch the floor on one end and protect the rim on the other. He’s a 36% shooter from three in his career and has averaged 1.4 blocks a night through his first five seasons.
The Magic are 2.5 games behind the Pacers, Raptors, and Wizards for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. The franchise has made two playoff appearances in the last 10 seasons and has won two postseason games total. Orlando’s talented young core could use a little playoff seasoning.
The Magic can already free up more than $55 million of cap space next season; if nothing else, Hart could add to their ability to go after some of the biggest free agents on the market during the summer.