Josh Hart Bound for New York After Knicks Agree Trade With Blazers

• New York and Portland struck a deal on the eve of the trade deadline
• The Knicks have bolstered their line-up with the addition of Josh Hart
• Hart is set to reunite with a former teammate in New York's backcourt

The New York Knicks got their man.

They agreed to deal Ryan Arcidiacono, Cam Reddish, Svi Mykhailiuk and a protected first-round pick in the 2023 draft to the Portland Trail Blazers, in exchange for Josh Hart.

Sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that the lottery-protected pick the Blazers got in this trade turns into four second-round picks in the future, if not conveyed this year.

Hart, who was acquired in a deal with New Orleans last season, is averaging 9.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game for Portland this campaign.

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Knicks get a proven starter

He played as a starter in all 51 games for the Blazers, averaging a career-high 33.4 minutes during that stretch, according to CBS Sports.

The 27-year-old is one of the best undersized rebounders in the NBA, with his 8.2 boards the most by a player at 6-foot-5 or shorter this season. He also leads the league in offensive rebounds per contest among players 6-5 or shorter.

Hart will fit in nicely with the Knicks, as offensive rebounding is one of the team’s main strengths. They are ranked third in offensive rebounding percentage and they also lead the league in second-chance points per game.

Villanova stars reunite in NY

What makes this move fascinating for Knicks fans is that this will reunite the tandem of Hart and Jalen Brunson. The two starred for Villanova during their college days, helping the Wildcats win the national championship back in 2016.

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Brunson was ecstatic when he learned about the Hart trade. The Knicks guard had his No. 1 jersey retired on Wednesday night during the half-time break of Villanova's game against DePaul.

He was seen on video shouting 'Yes!' when learning of the trade after the jersey retirement ceremony.

Lakers make trade deadline move

The New York Knicks are not the only ones making moves before the trade deadline. Sports Brief recently reported on the Lakers acquiring three players in a three-team trade with the Jazz and Timberwolves.

They agreed to send former MVP, Russell Westbrook and their 2027 first-round pick (top-four protected) to Utah in the deal.

In return, the Lakers will get Malik Beasley, D'Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt to bolster their squad.