Josh Hart loves playing for the New York Knicks in the Big Apple. He’s made that clear since arriving midway through the 2022-23 season when he was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Prior to joining the Blazers, Hart played with the New Orleans Pelicans from 2019-22, and it appears he didn’t have the best experience playing in the Big Easy.
Hart blasted the Pelicans on a recent episode of the Roommate Show with Jalen Brunson.
“I don’t think you’ll ever hear anyone say they were excited to be traded to New Orleans,” Hart said in the podcast.
Hart joined the Pelicans after two years with the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis to Hollywood to team up with LeBron James. The Lakers won a title in the trade while the Pelicans haven’t won a single playoff series since the deal was made.
The Pelicans were in the midst of a rebuild with Hart as one of the centerpieces, and he ultimately wasn’t able to fulfill the vision New Orleans had for him, leading to him being traded for Larry Nance Jr.
However, it seems to have worked out well for Hart in the end, as he has been thrilled with the Knicks since arriving 18 months ago. Hart and the Knicks have won a playoff series in each of the two postseasons, and they are gearing up to win another in 2025 with college teammate Mikal Bridges now in the fold.
Now, when Hart and the Knicks make their annual trip to the Smoothie King Center to face the Pelicans on Dec. 21, he can expect plenty of boos from the New Orleans fans.
