The New Or͏le͏ans ͏Pe͏licans͏ ͏have st͏ruggled͏ ͏to becom͏e͏ a pl͏ayoff ͏co͏nt͏ende͏r over the l͏ast͏ fiv͏e y͏ears͏, faci͏ng nume͏rous s͏etbacks. Rece͏n͏t͏l͏y, they ͏hit͏ another snag ͏in recrui͏ti͏ng when͏ former͏ P͏elic͏an and͏ ͏c͏urrent New York Knicks pl͏aye͏r Josh Hart told L͏il W͏ay͏ne and Tom Bra͏dy at the͏ F͏a͏natic͏s ͏Fest t͏hat͏ ͏p͏layers rar͏ely feel excit͏e͏d about͏ being ͏traded͏ to the Pel͏icans.͏
His candid take reflects a sentiment many players share but rarely voice, especially when moving to small-market teams. Hart, who was traded from the Lakers to the Pelicans in 2019 as part of the Anthony Davis deal, admitted, “I don’t think you’ll ever hear anyone say they were excited to be traded to New Orleans. I wasn’t.”
He added, “The only thing I was excited about was rolling around New Orleans, listening to Lil Wayne, and going to every game.”
During his time with the Pelicans, Hart averaged 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds before the team traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers in the C.J. McCollum deal. Now, with the Knicks and a new four-year, $80.9 million extension, Hart’s reflection on his Pelicans stint reveals a common but rarely voiced sentiment about small-market teams.
Social Media Reacts to Josh Hart’s Feelings After the Trade
As soon as Josh Hart’s interview went viral on X, social media users warmed the platform with their reactions. Many fans backed his perspective and eagerly shared their own opinions.
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New Orleans is rich in culture, but it’s never been a hot spot for NBA players. It does not compete with big cities like New York, LA, Miami, or Chicago and doesn’t have the draw of Dallas, Houston, or Atlanta. Plus, the Pelicans haven’t exactly been a basketball powerhouse. Since the team arrived in 2011, they’ve been competitive but haven’t hit it big.
The Pelicans drafted Anthony Davis in 2012, giving fans something to cheer about before trading him the summer they picked Zion Williamson. People expected Zion to become the next NBA star, but injuries have constantly plagued him.
The Pelicans struggle to attract top free agents due to a lack of consistent success and appeal. GM David Griffin has tried to build the team through trades and the draft, bringing in players like Zion, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy III. The recent addition of Dejounte Murray might finally give the team the boost it needs.
