“I Almost Cried”: Shocking Details of Lakers-Pelicans’ 2019 Trade Come to Light, Courtesy of Josh Hart

In the final 24 hours before the trade deadline, the trade market was in a frenzy with multiple teams securing players on their roster. For the New York Knicks‘ forward Josh Hart, this chaos brings back memories that he would rather forget. Josh was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. After playing for LA for two seasons, it was announced in March 2019 that he would be missing the remainder of the 2018-19 season following right knee surgery.

Four months later, the Lakers did not hesitate to chuck his name off from their roster. And just like that, he was traded to the Pelicans. This was all too sudden with no warning signs, so naturally it caught Josh off-guard. Looking back on the day he found out about this news, the 28-year-old star admits he almost cried in a recent appearance on the Roommates Show.

Josh Hart was playing Fortnite when he found out

At the time, Josh was handling and hosting his show, the LightHarted Podcast alongside his best friend and co-host Matt Hillman. While recording, the rule was to keep the phones in airplane mode to avoid any interruptions. After a failed attempt to record an episode, Josh found out he had been traded. “Yeah, that was the first time I got traded too, I almost cried,” he recalls. However, it was the way he found out that was most unforgettable.

Josh and Matt were getting ready to have a guest for their show, who turned out to be allergic to dogs. Unaware, both their dogs were inside the house. The guest had an allergic reaction and the episode had to be canceled. With his phone still in airplane mode, Josh started playing Fortnite to pass the time. This was when Matt said out loud, “Oh s***,” after finding out about the trade. And the rest is history.

Josh wants a permanent home

After the Pelicans trade, Josh would be traded two more times, first to the Trail Blazers in February 2022 and then he landed in New York in February 2023. When asked if he hopes he doesn’t get traded anymore, Josh replies with a sigh, “Yeah, hopefully, I just need a home. I’m just a nomad right now.” Well, the nomad’s numbers aren’t his best this season, but the hustle he delivers on the court paints a different picture.

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Josh has been averaging 7.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, which are well below his last season’s stats. But fans appreciate him for the effort he puts on the hardwood. Josh is a hustler on the defense and pulls down some huge rebounds, which is impressive for a 6’4″ forward. He has yet to make an impact on his shooting, but we can cut him some slack for the other ways in which he uplifts the team.

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Which team do you think Josh Hart should be traded to next? Is he a good fit for the Knicks right now? Share your thoughts!