The Cavaliers, who are looking to bolster their small forward position at the trade deadline, are one of multiple clubs registering “very strong interest” in Trail Blazers swingman Josh Hart, according to Marc Stein’s latest Substack story (subscriber link).
Hart, 27, is currently in the second season of a very reasonable three-year, $37.9MM deal. He has a player option for the 2023/24 season, meaning he can choose to enter unrestricted free agency this summer.
Across 49 games this year, all starts, the Villanova alum is averaging 9.4 PPG on .506/.311/.732 shooting splits. He’s also chipping in a career-high 8.1 RPG, along with 4.0 APG and 1.1 SPG.
Hart has the outlines of a solid 3-and-D contributor, but in his first full season for Portland, he is falling short on one element of that equation. Hart’s three-point shooting has regressed this season, in both volume and success rate. His 31.1% completion percentage represents a career low, and his 2.1 attempts per contest are likewise his lowest nightly average for a given season.
Cleveland could certainly use help along the wing. The team is currently starting raw swingman Isaac Okoro, a solid defender averaging a modest 6.0 PPG on .485/.333/.720 shooting splits on low volume.
If Cavs add Hart, then Isaac Okoro has to be traded because of playing time
Hart is in Low price
Lakers are only interested in high price and hot product, and are trying to protect the draft picks
Hart’s not much of an upgrade. I’d rather give the job to Osman and try to bolster the bench for a couple of 6’5-6’8 versatile guys.
CLE should go get this guy if they can. Hart can help any team, and I’d want him on any team I root for. BB IQ, focus and effort never go out of style. But, sorry, he does NOT profile as a 3&D guy. He’s not a natural shooter, and doesn’t have ideal physical attributes for a defender. All of which is good news, as it means CLE may be able to obtain him without a FRP to trade (which they don’t).
Think Josh would be a solid addition.
However blazers are also trying to win and won’t give him up for nothing.
Love to see him rejoin the Pelicans. They could use his leadership, toughness, and character.
His offense is suffering with ball hogs in Simons and Dame dribbling out most of the clock. Needs to go to a team with a better system
Levert okoro Osman and cavs 2nds in ’23, ’25, ’27, ’29
For grant and Payton II
For 1 There’s no reason to give up that much , for 2 moving osman and levert would be dumb, osman is on a very team friendly contract and is playing extremely solid
Dame and Simons are suffering because Hart can’t shoot. They’re constantly double teamed and Hart is left wide open..
Hart is so much better than his stats would suggest. Any team can use a player like him in their rotation. His energy is infectious and makes players around him better.
Sure,.. For 1 of your BIGS Or Pwr Fwds! ;
unless your gonna give up some of your size/ depth, your Not getting Josh Hart for nothing! ; )