Every once in a while, a trade is made that turns out to be a way bigger deal than anyone initially expected.
The Josh Hart trade fits that bill.
The deal didn't receive much attention at the time — probably because Hart was having a down season and it was a wild trade deadline — but the 28-year-old has fit in with the Knicks like a glove. His two-way play helped New York finish the regular season with the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference and then upset Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs.
How exactly did the Knicks get Hart? Let's revisit the trade that fell under the radar.
MORE: Why Joel Embiid won TSN’s NBA MVP award over Jokic, Giannis
How did the Knicks get Josh Hart?
The Knicks acquired Hart from the Trail Blazers as part of a four-team trade at the 2023 trade deadline.
Here are the full details of the trade:
- Knicks received: Josh Hart, Bojan Dubljevic's draft rights, Daniel Diez's draft rights
- Trail Blazers received: Matisse Thybulle, Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Ante Tomic's draft rights, 2023 first-round pick (protected Nos. 1-14 via Knicks)
- Hornets received: Svi Mykhailiuk, 2023 second-round pick (via 76ers), 2027 second-round pick (via Trail Blazers)
- 76ers received: Jalen McDaniels, 2024 second-round pick (from Knicks via Hornets), 2029 second-round pick (via 76ers)
Hart's minutes declined slightly after the trade, but his numbers improved almost across the board. He went from averaging 9.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game as a starter in Portland to 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as a reserve in New York.
Hart was an even more efficient scorer with the Knicks, especially from 3-point range.
| Trail Blazers | Knicks | |
| Games | 51 | 25 |
| Minutes per game | 33.4 | 30.0 |
| Points per game | 9.5 | 10.2 |
| Rebounds per game | 8.2 | 7.0 |
| Assists per game | 3.9 | 3.6 |
| Steals per game | 1.1 | 1.4 |
| Blocks per game | 0.2 | 0.5 |
| Field goal percentage | 50.4 | 58.6 |
| 3-point percentage | 30.4 | 51.9 |
| Free throw percentage | 73.1 | 78.9 |
Despite being 6-foot-4 and playing fewer minutes, Hart finished New York's first-round series against Cleveland in the 2023 NBA Playoffs with almost as many offensive rebounds (12) as Cavaliers big men Evan Mobley (15) and Jarrett Allen (15). His defense was also key to the Knicks containing four-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
Josh Hart contract details
Hart signed a three-year, $37.9 million contract with the Pelicans in 2021. His deal includes a $12.9 million player option for the 2023-24 season, making him a potential unrestricted free agent in the 2023 offseason.
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
| Josh Hart contract | $12,960,000 | $12,960,000 (PO) | UFA |
