Guard Josh Hart re-signed with the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. The two sides agreed to a 3-year contract worth around $38 million, or around $12 million per season. This contract ties him down through the 2023-24 NBA season.
Josh Hart is staying in New Orleans
Over his 4-year NBA career, Josh Hart has played for two teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Pelicans. Hart was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2017 but was traded to the Lakers on draft night. Throughout his career, Hart has averaged numbers of 8.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. What jumps out the most, however, is his rebounding numbers as a 6’5″ wing. The team failed to make the playoffs. However, they have made moves this off-season that could be beneficial to the future of the team. These moves include the re-signing of Hart, putting them in position to go for a playoff push.
Restricted free agent G Josh Hart is closing in on a three-year, $38 million deal to stay with the New Orleans Pelicans, his agents Aaron Mintz, Steven Heumann and Dave Spahn of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 16, 2021
What this means for the future
Despite the Pelicans not making the playoffs, the team fixed some of their flaws and brought in a talented young guard in Devonte’ Graham. The team also traded for Jonas Valanciunas and drafted Trey Murphy III. These moves combined with the re-signing of Hart can put the team in a firm position to go for a playoff push. The team is still centered around the team’s two stars in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
Hart was sent to the Pelicans back in the deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Since then, he has been very impactful for the team. His shooting isn’t the best as in this past season he only shot 32.5% from 3. However, he can still stretch the floor well and even had a game this past season where he knocked down 6 three-pointers. He can be an off-ball threat and is good defensively.
It will be interesting to see if New Orleans continues to use Hart as a sixth man. They do have a young project in Nickeil Alexander-Walker who had a good sophomore season averaging 11 points in only 22 minutes. It is in the hands of new Pelicans’ head coach Willie Green. The Pelicans will be must-see basketball if they can stay healthy this season.
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