New Orleans Pelicans: Best Case Scenario Comps for the Under-25’s

New Orleans Pelicans’ Player Comparisons: Josh Hart

Josh Hart is the next… Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler is one of the best players in the NBA, but like Hart, he was the 30th pick in the draft who came into the league at age 22.

Both Butler and Hart can play shooting guard or small forward and both love the challenge of defending a bigger guy.

They are both great rebounders for guards, though Hart actually averages a rebound and a half more at age 24 than Butler did when he was the same age and playing way more minutes.

Butler was a late bloomer who didn’t hit double digits in scoring until his third season, much like Josh Hart.

At age 24 Butler averaged 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while also swiping nearly two steals per game in 38.7 minutes.

Josh Hart is 24 now and averages 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and one steal per game in 27 minutes per game.

Butler evolved into a gifted scorer and a ferocious defender, but he wasn’t there at age 24. Hart has flashed those abilities and is a much better 3-point shooter than Butler was at that age.

It may be that Josh Hart just needs more opportunity, which is why I’ve long been an advocate of moving him into the starting lineup and moving Jrue Holiday to the second unit.

Could Hart be a late bloomer like Butler? Could he eventually be one of the top all-around guards in the league? If the Pels let him walk after next season, we may very well find out, as Hart could blow up if given the opportunity.