2. Josh Hart, New Orleans Pelicans
Hart could be on his way out of New Orleans, as the Pelicans guard might be discarded if David Griffin wants to start making moves that will help New Orleans contend. Hart has some value as a restricted free agent, even if he has one of the more unique skillsets you’ll see from a guard in this league.
Hart averaged 7.2 rebounds per game over the last two years, including an insane 8.0 per game this year. With improved scoring thanks to an increased role in New Orleans, should the Raptors take a look at the former Villanova star? Unfortunately, his production may be fool’s gold, to a degree.
Josh Hart might night give the Toronto Raptors elite scoring instantly.
Hart will be looking for a big long-term deal as he hist free agency for the first time. While improving on the defensive end, teams around the league may find it hard to tie up a ton of guaranteed money in a player with 20 starts in two years, no seasons with more than 10.1 points per game averaged, and one season in which he shot 44% or greater.
Hart could bring value to the Raptors as a small forward, but it would take considerable effort to bring in someone that is an inferior scorer when compared to Trent, a worse defender than Bembry, and not a traditional point guard. Unless he takes a short-term deal, Hart likely isn’t touching down in Canada.