As expected, the Trail Blazers have decided to fully guarantee Josh Hart‘s salary for the 2022/23 season, according to Aaron J. Fentress of OregonLive.com (Twitter link). Hart will now make $12.9MM next year.
The deadline to guarantee his salary was today. Portland could still dangle Hart in a trade, as the team reportedly pursued Raptors forward OG Anunoby in trade talks leading up to the draft.
Hart appeared in 13 games last season after being traded from the Pelicans to Blazers, averaging 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest on 50% shooting. While those stellar numbers are above the norm for him, the 26-year-old still put up a solid 14.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 4.1 APG in 41 games with New Orleans before getting traded.
Hart is a prime candidate to start at small forward unless the Blazers make a move. Portland agreed to trade for Jerami Grant this week, adding him to a core that already includes Damian Lillard and restricted free agent Anfernee Simons. Starting center Jusuf Nurkic will enter unrestricted free agency next week.
I’d start Josh at the 2 & Nas Little at 3
What about Simons?
6th MOY. He’d get way more opportunity to score & be the focal point of the offense playing with Portland’s 2nd unit. Plus their defense would suffer if they started every game with 2 weak defenders at guard. They got enough scoring with Dame/Hart/Jerami/Nurk. Having Nas guard the opposing team’s best wing they can let Hart defend opposing lead guards
This sites turned into the sillivan and Sankar show holy eff
That’s unfortunate.
Post your stuff anyway DB!
In this case I agree with the OP, Let fragile Simons come in hot. Little has to find a game.