NBA Trade Rumors: 3 potential trade destinations for Josh Hart

When looking at the much talked about Los Angeles Lakers young core, there is no doubting that Josh Hart receives the least attention. This is understandable as Hart does not have an outspoken father and hasn't been compared to Kevin Durant, however, despite the lack of media spotlight, the 23-year-old is quickly developing into an excellent two-way player.

Hart has quietly pushed on from his impressive rookie season, and the shooting guard is this year averaging 9.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Hart has also established himself as one of the Lakers better shooters from beyond the arc, and the shooting guard has surprisingly played a major role on LeBron James' Lakers team.

Nevertheless, the Lakers have recently dropped outside of the playoff places, and the team may be willing to trade a member of their young core this month, in order to boost their postseason chances. If the Lakers go down this route, Hart is likely to be the player to make way, and here we will look at three potential destinations for Josh Hart.

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#3 Phoenix Suns

Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets

Earlier this season, the Suns were eager to bring Josh Hart to Phoenix Suns as part of a trade for Trevor Ariza. Despite this, a deal was never agreed upon due to the Lakers refusal to give up a player for one that was 10 years his senior.

Nevertheless, the Suns still want to add a two-way player to their roster, and at the age of 23, Hart fits in with Phoenix's policy of recruiting young players. A deal will be difficult as the Suns don't currently have many assets on their roster, so a three-team deal this summer could be the franchises only method of acquiring one of their main trade targets.

#2 Washington Wizards

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

If the Lakers are to pull off an unlikely move for an All-Star before the February trade deadline, the most likely candidate is the Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal. The 25-year-old is reportedly unhappy with the current state of the franchise, and the Wizards are heading towards a major rebuild in the summer.

The Wizards currently have Trevor Ariza on their roster, although the 33-year-old will soon become a free agent, and is likely to exit the team this summer. Josh Hart seems like the perfect replacement, as both players have a similar skillset and Hart will also be able to inflict youth into an ageing roster.

The Lakers will need to include more than just Hart to get a deal done this month, however, as Los Angeles continues to fade in the Western Conference playoff race, a bold deadline move becomes increasingly likely.

#1 New Orleans Pelicans

Los Angeles Lakers v Dallas Mavericks

In all likelihood, Josh Hart will be included in the trade package that the Lakers will put together in order to convince the New Orleans Pelicans to part with Anthony Davis. Out of the Lakers young core, Lonzo Ball and Hart are nearly certain to be included in a potential trade, although it remains to be seen if the team will offer either Brandon Ingram or Kyle Kuzma.

As previously discussed, other teams around the NBA will be interested in acquiring Hart, although the Pelicans will be under no pressure to trade away a player who is contracted until 2022. Ultimately, as good as Hart's performances have been so far this season, the Lakers are going to go all in to sign 5-time All-Star Davis, and this makes Josh Hart destined to be traded away to the New Orleans Pelicans.