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Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Hart proving to be draft steal

By Donny McHenry

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 2: Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 2, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 2: Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 2, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers rookie Josh Hart is cementing his spot in the rotation and proving to be yet another draft day steal for the organization.

The Los Angeles Lakers had a good draft in 2017, to say the least. The team drafted Lonzo Ball with the 2nd overall pick and received the rights to Kyle Kuzma at the 27th overall pick in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

Both players seem like they will be very good down the road. The unexpected success of Kuzma and the drama surrounding Lonzo has overshadowed the fact that the Lakers had another steal in the draft, with Josh Hart at the 30th pick.

Josh Hart and his Road to the Lakers

The Villanova guard was born in Silver Springs, Maryland and played high school at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC. Hart averaged 24.3 PPG in high school and averaged 18.9 PPG in his senior year at Villanova.

He won Big East Player of the Year during his senior year, Big East Sixth Man of the Year his sophomore year, and was a First Team All American in 2017.

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Hart was projected to go 29th to the Spurs, 32nd to the Suns, and 36th to the Sixers and was compared a couple times to Malcolm Brogdon. The Utah Jazz ended up taking him at the 30th pick, but the Lakers saw the potential and traded for him (and Thomas Bryant).

Josh Hart was actually a more recognizable pick than Kyle Kuzma as the 6’5’’ guard won the national title with Villanova in 2016. Also, Villanova is just generally a more well-known program than Kuzma’s alma mater, Utah.

Hart Improving Game by Game

At first, it was unclear how much Hart would be used every game. The team had signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the offseason and still had Jordan Clarkson for the shooting guard position.

He started off with 0 minutes in the season opener but ended up having 14.3 mpg in the first month of the season. It was obvious he was going to play a role in every single game going forward.

He has been productive for the Lakers all season. He makes very few mistakes on the court with the 8th highest AST/TO ratio of rookies who have played 35 games.

Also, among rookies who have played 35 games, he has the 6th highest EFG%, the 11th highest offensive rating (between Ben Simmons and Terrance Ferguson), and the 9th highest 3PT%.

Showing Some Hart Before Valentine’s Day

I promise that probably won’t be the first or last “heart” joke regarding Josh.

In the last two games of January, Hart only played 14.0 MPG in two blowout losses against the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic. Luke Walton needed a change, so he inserted him into the starting lineup for the first two games of February.

Hart responded with 37.0 MPG in the two contests while averaging 14.5 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and going 5-for-9 from the 3-point line. The two crazy rebounding games from Hart has inspired a “Josh Barkley” nickname, which is a reference to the rebounding great, Charles Barkley.

Next: 5 Takeaways From Lakers 5-Game Road Trip

Whatever you want to call him, it seems the Lakers got a steal in Josh Hart. The public will focus on Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma, but Hart looks like he will produce in the NBA for a long time. Not bad for getting him with the 30th overall pick.

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