2 Former Trail Blazers thriving, 3 struggling elsewhere to start 2023-24

Struggling former Blazer No. 2: Josh Hart, New York Knicks

Had the Trail Blazers chosen to contend last season, Josh Hart would have remained in Portland rather than being dealt to the New York Knicks at the trade deadline. As it was, the Blazers ended the year by tanking in epic fashion before earning Henderson with the No. 3 pick.

Hart played well for a Knicks team that made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals, but so far in ’23-24, neither he nor New York have played at the same level.

The Knicks are off to a 6-5 start and looking up at the top of the East from a play-in tournament spot after finishing 47-35 and earning the conference’s No. 5 seed last year. Hart is off to a similarly average start.

Despite playing 28.9 minutes per game, (he played 30 last season), he’s averaging career-lows in points, shooting percentage and 3-point shooting percentage. Known as a rebounder and defender, Hart’s 6.6 rpg is his lowest since his second year in the league, and he’s averaging less than 1 steal a night for only the third time in his career.