New Orleans Pelicans: Don’t sleep on Josh Hart this year

Of the three players that the New Orleans Pelicans received for Anthony Davis, Josh Hart is the obvious “third guy” that seemingly has been a bit left out.

The New Orleans Pelicans played the Anthony Davis trade perfectly. New Orleans received three solid players in the trade and a ton of draft capital from the Los Angeles Lakers, that the team then used to turn into more draft capital.

Now, the Pelicans have a very talented and promising young team with a surplus of draft capital in the coming seasons. Right now, the Pelicans are in the best position to be the best team in the league in five years.

The three young players that the Pelicans received are exciting. Lonzo Ball is a true point guard who possesses an all-around skill set that is so hard to find. Once he develops a better jumper, and it appears he is on his way, he can be a top-10 point guard in the league.

More from Big Easy Believer

• New Orleans Saints: Three biggest questions heading into the offseason
• New Orleans Saints: Three positives to take from playoff loss
• New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Sacramento Kings
• New Orleans Saints: Bold predictions for Wild Card Round vs. Vikings
• New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide in Los Angeles Lakers rematch

Brandon Ingram is entering his fourth season ready to break out. He has shown signs time and time again of being ready to break out in all-star form and this could be the year without him being shackled by LeBron James. He could easily score 20 points per game this season.

Then there is the third player, Josh Hart, who has not received as much praise as the other two players. Hart is not as big of a name as Ball and Ingram and is undoubtedly going to be coming off the bench for Pelicans.

While the Pelicans’ depth chart and rotation are not set, Hart has not been getting the love that he deserves. Fans are looking to the likes of rookie Nickeil Alexander-Walker to play a more prominent role than Hart.

Maybe Hart prefers if everyone sleeps on him entering the season that way he could prove anyone wrong but we should be giving him his proper dues. If you watched him at all on the Los Angeles Lakers, you know he can be a legitimate threat off the bench.

Hart has averaged 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in a limited role with the Lakers in two years but has shown countless times that he is much better than his averages.

Hart recorded four double-doubles last year when he was given more playing time while always playing great defense. He had eight games last year where he had three or more steals and had as many as five in one contest.

He was in double digits in 22 of his 68 games last year and 22 of his 63 games the year prior. Hart even had a 30-point game in his rookie year before the Lakers brought in all the veterans to play ahead of him and had eight double-doubles.

What makes Hart so valuable is his status as combo guard as he can either play off-ball as a scorer at the shooting guard position or could bring the ball up court as a point guard. And while he is only 6’5″, he is a great rebounder for a guard.

Of guards with at least 41 games played (half a season) in his rookie year, Hart ranked 10th in rebounds per 36 minutes with 6.5. That is in his rookie year. He will only get better with more playing time and more experience.

Hart is also a good defender as well. That, mixed with his rebounding, makes him a candidate to play some small forward against smaller guys. He isn’t going to match up with someone like Kevin Durant but he could hold his own against someone like Gordon Hayward.

Hart is talented, versatile and has only scratched the surface. He is exactly the kind of play you want on the bench to swing games and have the occasional big night where he wins the game for you.

So when you are watching the New Orleans Pelicans this year, make sure you keep a keen eye on Josh Hart. Chances are he will probably surprise you.