he hasn't hit the 2 year anniversary of that contract yet so he's not eligible for an extension. Meaning he couldn't be extended till July; meaning, since the Blazers have full Bird Rights, he could opt out in June, than sign a new deal with Portland in July
So New Orleans committed (what I've heard is) the atrocious sin of signing a free agent, and then trading him that same season?! Oh my--no one will ever sign with them again!
yes, but we also drafted another wing (sharpe) with similar (better) physical profile and used our full MLE while hardcapping ourselves to get another guy (GP2) who would play a similar role/position as Hart. Both of these things happened after the Hart for CJ trade. I am inclined to think we were fairly close to completing the rumored trade before the draft (Hart + #7 for OG), but balked when Masai asked for Nas too. Glad we did not do that awful trade and I love the potential of Shaedon too much to consider it now, but that trade would have definitely added some balance to our roster. Dame/ Ant Ant/ GP2 (sign him after FA started) OG / Nas? Grant / Watford Nurk / Eubanks
He was resigned in NO, acquired in the AD trade. We did similar with trading Powell. Seems much more rare to trade away a player acquired as a free agent a few months later.
We also were trying to include him + the NOP 1st in a potential Grant deal before the end of the trade deadline.
I remember the excitement of getting Hart not too long ago. Now people are talking about trading him when all he has done is fill a couple huge needs and fill them well. He is the most diverse defender on this team and he allows Chauncey extreme flexibility with the matchups. On top of that, he is the best finisher on drives (but Sharpe will take that title soon), he brings a toughness and intensity we haven't had in a while and he is the best rebounder on the team. Plus, I think his hustle and defensive effort has already affected a few other guys.
