Josh Hart shares what he told the young players when he was about to get traded: "Some of them looked so nervous"
Trades are as much part of the NBA's fabric as layups and jumpshots. However, even though they happen at numerous points in the season—the summer, in-season, or the trade deadline—it doesn't make the experience less jarring. After all, getting traded entails a lot of work, such as leaving a place you've grown comfortable in, finding a new place to live, adjusting to a new team and city, and building relationships with teammates.
New York Knicks' guard Josh Hart is no stranger to getting traded, having gone through it four times in his seven-year career. While he's set to be an integral piece of the Knicks moving forward, having signed a contract extension in August 2023, there's still no guarantee that he'll stay in New York for the remainder of his contract.
Hart initially found getting traded difficult. However, he's accepted that it's part of the business and shared how he once scared his younger teammates when he was about to get traded from New Orleans to Portland.
Already knew he was getting traded
In February 2022, the Villanova product knew his time with the New Orleans Pelicans was ending. Although he wasn't privy to the specifics, Hart knew deep in his gut that he'd be playing with a new team soon, something confirmed the following afternoon just as he was about to lie down on the trainer's table to get taped before the game. As news of his trade broke on social media, the hard-playing wingman soon went to the locker room where his teammates had gathered to prepare for their contest that night.
"I go into the locker room, and most of the guys are there at this point. You know me, I'm an ass, so I'm going to make it light, and I'm going to be an ass during it. So, I just turn and look at them, and I say, 'Yeah, y'all, I'm out. The only question now is which one of y'all is coming with me,'" Hart said on "The Roommates Show" with Jalen Brunson.
The revelation elicited laughter from Josh's former college coach, Jay Wright, a guest on the show. As one might imagine, Hart's words struck fear deep into the hearts of the young fellows, who had no idea what getting traded felt like.
A lot of them looked nervous
Hart, the naughty prankster that he is, continued needling the youngsters.
"I'm pointing at all the young guys, and they all sit there. I tell you, some of them look so nervous. I said, 'I don't know which one, but one of y'all is coming with me, so y'all better figure this out,'" Hart narrated. "Trey Murphy was sitting there looking sad, Nickeil was looking sad, Herb was just kind of like, 'Whatever.'"
Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada, and Tomas Satoransky were all traded to Portland for a package led by CJ McCollum and Larry Nance Jr. Josh, though, stayed with the Blazers for a short period. A year later, he was sent to the New York Knicks, where he has thrived as a do-it-all shooting guard/small forward with a penchant for crashing the glass.
