The New York Knicks have made a significant move to upgrade their roster. They recently acquired guard Josh Hart from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Cam Reddish, Ryan Acridacono, Svi Mykhailiuk and a protected first round pick. This acquisition is expected to help make the Knicks be more competitive as they try to make a push for the playoffs this season.
Josh Hart’s Impact on the Knicks
Hart is an elite rebounder and does all of the little things on the court that often go unnoticed such as providing energy, hustle, and effort plays that can help swing momentum in favor of his team during games. He also has a knack for hitting clutch shots when his team needs him most, which is something that has been lacking from the Knicks over the past few seasons. In addition to his contributions on offense and defense, Hart brings an impressive work ethic and leadership qualities which should be beneficial for the young players on the team. There's two words that many people have described him as while watching him play, A WINNER.
Josh Hart has been one of Portland's most consistent players this season, averaging 9.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 50% from the field. His strong defensive presence will be a great asset for the Knicks who are already steeped in offensive talent with Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson. Moreover, his willingness to help out on offense when necessary will help take some of the pressure off of New York's stars down the stretch as they push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. He has also played with Jalen Brunson at Villenova so those two, you would think, will have some chemistry together.
Cam Reddish's Impact On The Blazers
The Blazers were looking to add depth to their backcourt rotation and Cam Reddish should provide exactly that. Despite his lack of playing time with New York, Reddish has proven himself capable of being an effective three-point shooter and can make plays off the dribble when needed. Portland also gets a protected first round pick which could come in handy if it falls higher than expected or if they decide to use it as part of another trade package at some point down the road.
Conclusion:
In short, this was an excellent trade for both teams involved and should help each franchise reach its goals for this season and beyond. For New York, they get another solid piece that can help them make their playoff push while also giving them an asset that can be used down the line as part of a larger deal if need be. Meanwhile, Portland gets depth at wing which should help them stay competitive during their upcoming stretch run while also getting an asset that could prove valuable depending on where it falls in next year's draft order. All in all, this was a win-win situation and fans of both teams should be excited about what lies ahead!