Grade the Trade: Knicks can spark defense with champion reunion
Does this trade work for the Knicks?
The most important part of the deal is Josh Hart, who won an NCAA championship in 2016 and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. He has been a key piece of multiple trades already in his career, but what he has proven in LA, New Orleans, and Portland is that he always competes, he doesn’t let his size (6’5″) stop him from playing big, and he is the exact kind of piece a team would want when they are trying to win in the playoffs.
There are a few questions that come up, however. The first is his contract situation; is he comfortable making a hair under $13 million this summer, or will he want to test the market for more? How much are the Knicks willing to part with in a trade for a rental, and how much are they willing to pay to retain him this summer?
The other issue is shooting. The Knicks need to continue to prioritize shooting as they build around RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, and Julius Randle. Hart is shooting just 29.6 percent from three-point range and is taking only 2.2 attempts per game, both dangerously low for a modern NBA wing. Does his defensive impact, rebounding, and intelligent play make up for that? Probably, but only with the right players around him.
Hart can absolutely help the Knicks, and Justice Winslow can fill in spot minutes at the 5 behind Mitchell Robinson (and Winslow won a title in college too!). Thibs would love both players. This is a deal worth making, but the Knicks need to realize Hart may not stick around this summer.
Grade: B+
