Josh Hart Grade: B-
Josh Hart was a fan favorite for Los Angeles Lakers fans and although the right move, everyone was sad to see him go. In his new home, he has become beloved by Pelican fans. Hart is a hustler and a tenacious defender. Dating back to his days at Villanova, he has gone all out on both ends of the floor every possession.
Hart’s minutes were choppy early in the season, but solid production led him to become a top role player for Gentry. Hart is playing the most minutes of his career. With that, has come a career-best scoring average of 10.8 points per game.
Hart is assured to do all the little things that are essential on a team, but his inconsistent outside shooting has marred his ability to become a real scoring threat, even in second unit situations. Hart shot 39 percent from three in his first year in the league, however, that number has dropped in the last couple of years.
Hart is a quality slasher and a put-back scorer, but he is not a player who can create his own shot on a consistent basis. While that is not what the Pelicans, who were loaded with depth when healthy, ask of him, it remains to be seen what Hart’s ceiling could be and how he fits in with the Pelicans’ future plans.