Josh Hart is the New Orleans Pelicans’ fifth best trade chip.
Josh Hart
Like Melli, Josh Hart is on a team-friendly contract that only goes through next year, so while that gives him some additional value as an expiring deal, it also reduces what teams would be willing to give up to get him.
Hart has a much better all-around game than Melli and is making even less. His defense on the wing and 3-point shooting would make him almost impossible to trade straight up, as there is no way you are getting back a player of his calibre that is only making $3.49 million.
But if the Pels did want to move Hart, there would be teams lining up, as he has the skillset to be a valuable contributor on a good team.
Hart is far more valuable to the Pelicans than what they could get back for him straight up, but he could definitely be a sweetener in a bigger deal of the Pelicans wanted to make a splashy trade.
It will be interesting to see what the Pelicans do with Josh Hart, as he is undoubtedly going to get a big raise and may play himself out of the Pelicans’ range.
If the Pelicans don’t get the sense they can re-sign Hart, then he could be moved for a guy on a rookie deal or as part of a package. He’s more valuable than Melli, but also more difficult to trade.