There’s a considerable chance that Josh Hart will be the first – perhaps only – member of the Portland Trail Blazers to be moved at this year’s NBA trade deadline.
Rumors have swirled around Hart and his (likely) $13 million expiring contract for weeks, with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat showing interest.
Hart’s blend of defense, energy, and rebounding would be attractive to any team looking to make a playoff run. And now another team with that goal in mind has registered its own desire for the 6-foot-5 guard.
The New York Knicks will reportedly make an effort to acquire Josh Hart
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype revealed that New York has “expressed interest” in trading for the 27 year old. Scotto added that Hart won an NCAA Championship at Villanova alongside current Knicks guards Jalen Brunson and Ryan Arcidiacano, which could fuel the interest between both team and player.
Hart’s offense has taken a dramatic downturn this season. His field-goal attempts, 3-point attempts, 3-point percentage, effective field-goal percentage, and free-throw attempts have all dropped. He seems hesitant to shoot, especially from deep, even if he’s wide open.
He is still providing his signature blend of defense, hustle, and rebounding, however. Hart is the Blazers’ second-leading rebounder; first if Jusuf Nurkic’s current absence is taken into account. His 8.2 boards per game are a career high. He’s also averaging more than 1 steal per game, only the second time he’s reached that number in his six years in the league.
The fit with Cleveland would be a bit odd given the Cavs lack of shooting at the forward spot. But his defense and intangibles would fit well beside Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, and putting him in a five-man lineup with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen would stifle even the best Eastern Conference offenses.
Hart is the prototypical Miami Heat player – tough, hard-nosed, defensive minded. He could be dropped into that famous Heat Culture tomorrow and hit the ground running.
New York is a more interesting spot. Knicks Head Coach Tom Thibodeau would love Hart’s defensive tenacity, and that team isn’t necessarily loaded with stoppers. Brunson is a small guard, Julius Randle doesn’t serve much purpose on that side of the ball, and Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley aren’t defense-first players, either.
Hart would become the Knicks’ best perimeter defender the moment he steps foot in Madison Square Garden.
A deal involving Cam Reddish and Isaiah Hartenstein heading back to Portland makes sense financially, and adding Greg Brown III’s salary keeps the Blazers under the luxury tax. It might be worth Portland’s time to take a look at Jericho Sims and/or Obi Toppin as well, if New York is willing to part with either.
Hart will almost certainly be wearing a different uniform on Feb. 10. The Knicks are just the latest team to officially register their interest.