Josh Hart trade: Grades for the Knicks, Trail Blazers
NEW YORK (BVM) — On Wednesday night, the Knicks took a step toward becoming a better basketball team. Josh Hart was sent to New York to team up with his former Villanova teammate in Jalen Brunson in exchange for the Knicks‘ 2023 first-round pick, Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono and Svi Mykhailiuk.
The draft pick that Portland is receiving is lottery protected and will convert to four second–round picks if it does not convey.
So who won the trade?
Here are the grades for both teams.
New York Knicks: B-
Before discussing the value, Hart should be able to contribute towards winning basketball. He is a wing that plays relentless defense and should be able to fit right in with Tom Thibodeau’s system. It is unclear as of now, but Hart will likely come off the bench behind RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes. After this season, Hart holds a player option for the 2023-24 season.
With all of that being said, giving up a first-round pick for potentially two to three months of a bench player seems like a drastic overpay. The Knicks have loaded the cupboard with future picks, so it would not hurt as much, but it would still seem like an unnecessary risk for a team that might be slotted in the play-In tournament. If Hart winds up back on the roster next season, this trade looks much better for New York.
Portland Trail Blazers: B
The main prize here for the Trail Blazers is the draft pick. The Knicks are playing well and this pick will likely convey barring injury. Getting a first-round pick back out of Hart, who they got in return for CJ McCollum, is pretty solid value for Portland. They also get a wild card in Cam Reddish.
A free agent at season’s end, Portland will get a first-hand look at the 23-year-old and will get to determine if they want to bring him back or not. Reddish struggled to crack the rotation in New York and will now likely have an opportunity to help his contract this offseason. Arcidiacono and Mykhailuk do not provide much value and are likely just throw-ins to make the money work.
