Josh Hart was an exceptional rebounder throughout his short NBA career despite being 6-4. His 7.8 boards last season were second among all shooting guards behind Oklahoma City rookie Josh Giddey, and third among small forwards, behind Boston Celtics MVP candidate Jayson Tatum and Los Angeles superstar Lakers LeBron James.
Before joining the Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups introduced Hart as an edge-running small forward who had the freedom to push the ball in transition for easy opportunities and initiate the offense for his teammates.
Hart had success attacking the center of the court and finding shooters. Offensively, there has been no sign that Hart can produce points against bigger defenders. In defense, questions come into play.
Hart will have his hands full in the trees with powerful forwards after the friendly such as Bobby Portis and Montrezl Harrell in the east. In the rest of the league, most power forwards show up as small forwards in disguise, so Hart will have to do his dirty work contesting on the perimeter and launching slashers outside the three-point line.