Why did the Blazers trade Josh Hart to the Knicks?

Born on March 6, 1995, Josh Hart is a versatile two-way player who plays for the New York Knicks. Known for his impactful contributions on both ends of the court, Hart's journey from Silver Spring, Maryland, to the NBA has been remarkable. Hart's two-way basketball prowess was seen during his college years at Villanova, where he played a pivotal role in leading the Wildcats to a national championship in 2016. His performances earned him the prestigious title of Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player during his sophomore season.

In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz selected Hart as the 30th overall pick. However, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers where he served as an essential off-the-bench player and showcased his high basketball IQ. Later, Hart was involved in a significant “Anthony Davis Trade” that brought him to the New Orleans Pelicans. His journey in the league further extended to the Portland Trail Blazers before finding a new home with the New York Knicks.

Hart's contributions on the court extend beyond statistics as he brings an infectious energy to the game that resonates with teammates and fans alike. With the Knicks, Hart has become an invaluable asset and plays as a glue guy for the team who can contribute not only through his scoring and defense but also with his ball-handling and crucial rebounding.

Josh Hart Trade

On February 8, 2023, the Portland Trail Blazers finalized a trade agreement with the New York Knicks, sending Josh Hart to "The Big Apple" in exchange for Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, and draft considerations. The Knicks included their own 2023 first-round draft pick in the deal, which had a lottery protection. There was a clause that if the pick wasn’t used in the 2023 NBA draft then it would transform into four future second-round picks.

The Portland Trail Blazers did utilize the acquired pick in the 2023 NBA draft. With the 23rd overall selection in the 2023 NBA draft which originally belonged to the Knicks, the Trail Blazers selected Kris Murray as their drafted player.

Why did the Blazers trade Josh Hart to the Knicks?

In February 2022, the Portland Trail Blazers made a significant decision to trade their franchise shooting guard, CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans. As part of this blockbuster trade, they acquired Josh Hart from the New Orleans Pelicans as a key piece in the trade.

Despite these changes, Portland faced many challenges and fell short of making the playoffs in the 2021/22 season. In the new 2022-2023 season, the Trail Blazers hoped for an improved performance and making the playoffs in the West. However, they encountered another rough start to the regular season.

Josh Hart was brought in to contribute as a glue guy and hustle player who would have had an immediate positive impact from the bench, but he didn't really fulfill that promise. With a record of 26-28 in early February 2022, the Trail Blazers decided to part ways with Hart, aiming to shed his contract and acquire young players and draft compensation in return.

On February 8, 2023, the Portland Trail Blazers executed a trade with the New York Knicks, sending Josh Hart in exchange for Cam Reddish, a promising future prospect, along with a couple of salary dump players, and a pick. For Portland, this pick eventually materialized into the selection of Kris Murray in the 2023 first round. This was a strategic move by Portland to reshape their roster and build for the future.

Josh Hart's Height and Weight

Josh Hart stands at 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) and his weight is 215 pounds (97 kilograms).