Knicks forward Josh Hart candidly discusses the frustrations of playing on a rebuilding Portland team, contrasting it with his current winning environment.
Josh Hart’s time in Portland didn’t last long, but it clearly left an impression.
As reported by Anthony Slater of ESPN, the current New York Knicks forward recently opened up about what it was like playing for a rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers squad, and how that kind of environment can wear on certain players.
"Some players are just happy to be out there and just shoot terrible shots and just do whatever," Hart said. "But for quote, unquote 'winning' players, it is extremely frustrating."
Hart arrived in Portland at the 2022 trade deadline as part of a larger reset for the franchise. The deal sent CJ McCollum to New Orleans and brought Hart, along with several other pieces and draft capital, to the Blazers. At the time, Portland was clearly shifting toward a rebuild, prioritizing flexibility and long-term development over immediate results.
For Hart, that transition came with challenges.
Players wired to compete for wins every night often struggle in situations where the bigger picture outweighs the nightly outcome. Hart’s comments reflect that tension, the difference between simply playing minutes and playing meaningful basketball.
Portland’s record during his stint tells part of the story. The team won 27 games in the 2021–22 season and followed it up with 33 wins the next year, still far from postseason contention. While Hart remained productive on the floor, the team’s direction didn’t align with the type of environment he thrives in.
Less than a year after acquiring him, the Blazers moved Hart again, this time to New York, where he’s since carved out a key role on a playoff-caliber roster. With the Knicks, Hart’s energy, rebounding, and versatility have translated directly to winning basketball, the kind he alluded to in his remarks.
Meanwhile, the present day Portland squad appears to be turning a corner.
After several seasons outside the playoff picture, the Blazers are now in the mix for a postseason return, hovering around the .500 mark and competing in the Western Conference Play-In race.
It’s a different phase for the organization compared to the one Hart experienced—one that more closely resembles the competitive setting he values.
The veterans remarks serve as a reminder that context matters in the NBA. The same player can have very different experiences depending on the direction of the team around them.
For Hart, Portland was a stop during a transition. For the Blazers now, the focus is on proving that transition is finally leading somewhere.