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.
Multiple outlets have reported there’s strong interest in Hart from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Whether that makes sense as a fit for the Cavs is debatable, but adding his brand of defense and toughness next to Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell wouldn’t hurt.
The Blazers could try and find a way to bring back Caris LeVert from Cleveland, but his $18 million salary doesn’t match with Hart’s, and the Cavaliers might prefer to keep LeVert for his offensive abilities anyway.
Osman and Windler could be a solid return for Portland, however.
Cedi has essentially filled the role of Cleveland’s sixth man this season. The 6-7 forward is averaging more than 9 points per game in 21.2 minutes off the bench while shooting 36.2% from three on 4 attempts a night.
The Blazers could use some extra scoring punch off the bench, something Osman would provide, along with his ability to space the floor.
Windler has yet to play this season after suffering an ankle injury, but is expected to return at some point in 2023. He fits a similar profile as Osman but with less experience and playing time. The 6-7 wing was a first-round pick of the Cavs in 2019 after averaging 21.3 ppg and shooting 43% from deep in his senior season at Belmont, when he was named first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference.
Osman has a non-guaranteed deal worth $6.7 million next year, while Portland could make Windler a $6 million qualifying offer in 2023-24 if the franchise so chooses.
Taking a flier on a pair of 6-7 wings who can shoot and could stick around for more than just the rest of this season isn’t the worst idea for a Blazers team that could use those types of players.
Sacramento – which is 23rd in defensive rating but second in offensive rating – would get a significant upgrade in Hart, who would immediately become the Kings’ best on-ball defender and second-best rebounder.
Sacramento is third in the Western Conference standings and would love nothing more than to make a deep postseason run – they haven’t even been to the playoffs since 2006.
Holmes could become the Blazers’ starting center, at least until Jusuf Nurkic returns from injury. Even then, having Holmes soak up a few of Nurk’s minutes while relegating Drew Eubanks and Trendon Watford back to supporting roles would be of significant help to Portland.
The 6-10 center has completely fallen out of the Kings’ rotation, but when he did play a significant role, he was productive. Playing nearly 24 minutes per game last year in Sac Town, Holmes averaged 10.4 points, 7 rebounds, and nearly a block per game. He’s not Jarred Vanderbilt, but Holmes is also a bit more mobile with a more expansive offensive skill set than Nurk.
In 2019-20, more than 10 percent of Holmes’ 14.2 ppg came from the mid-range; he isn’t limited to simple post touches or wide-open threes.
Mitchell has also fallen down Sacramento’s backcourt pecking order, but he’s still only 24 years old, in his second NBA season, and has proven to be an above-average defender at the point guard spot. His defensive rating of 110.8 is nearly four points better than Hart’s.
This may be the most attractive deal for the Blazers as they would add more depth up front, but also a young guard to spell Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. Mitchell’s fit off the bench beside Gary Payton II would create havoc on opposing guard tandems.