New York Knicks Trade for Josh Hart
The Portland Trail Blazers are trading Josh Hart to the New York Knicks.
In return, the Knicks will give the Blazers Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk, and a protected 2023 first-round pick. The lottery-protected pick turns into four future second round picks if not conveyed this year.
Hart is averaging 9.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game this season for the Blazers. He has played and started in all 51 games for them this season and he is averaging a career-high in minutes per game at 33.4.
Hart is perfect for coach Tom Thibodeau and his system, he can defend multiple positions and he is one of the best-undersized rebounding guards. His 8.2 rebounds per game this season is a career high for him. He leads the league in rebounds for guys 6-foot-5 or shorter. He also leads the league in offensive rebounds for guys 6-foot-5 or shorter.
Hart is good on the offensive end; he can facilitate and he is shooting over 70% when he is at the rim. His three-point attempts have gone down to three a game after averaging four a game last season.
Hart is making $12.9 million this season and has a player option for the same amount next season. The contract will be nonguaranteed if he exercises his player option by the June 25 deadline. The deal will reunite Hart and Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. The both of them played together at Villanova where they won a national championship together in 2016.
Here is @jalenbrunson1's reaction to finding out that @joshhart was traded to the New York Knicks.
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 9, 2023
This is awesome!
(video via @Capj1344 from Brunson's jersey retirement ceremony at Villanova) pic.twitter.com/HEnFCzLqOG
After falling out of the rotation Cam Reddish has been looking for another place to call home. Reddish was acquired by the Knicks in a trade last season from the Atlanta Hawks. He has not played since Dec. 3 and has not started since Nov. 18.
Since he was drafted in 2019 Reddish has had trouble getting consistent playing time but has shown flashes that he can score with the best of them. He is set to be a restricted free agent after this season.
