Dumfounded Damian Lillard is left STUNNED by Portland’s decision to trade Josh Hart during their WARM-UP against the Warriors… as the forward is forced to sit out ahead of his last-minute move to the Knicks
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Portland Trailblazers superstar Damian Lillard was visibly stunned after learning of team-mate Josh Hart’s trade to the Knicks moments before facing the Warriors in the NBA on Wednesday.
Footage from Portland’s Instagram story showed Hart practising his three-point shot during their warm-up ahead of tip-off, but the forward was forced to sit out of the 125-122 win after news came through of his move to New York.
The Knicks gave up Cam Reddish and a protected future first-round pick to lure Hart to the Eastern Conference, keen to bolster their roster with an additional piece in a bid to go deep in the play-offs.
Lillard embraced the 27-year-old just before the match – seemingly oblivious of the news – before cutting a perplexed figure, clearly astonished by the impending exit of his team-mate.
The rest of the Trailblazers then gathered around to confirm the news on their mobile phones, showing just how little NBA players are aware of their franchise’s decisions.
Damian Lillard was astonished to learn of Josh Hart’s trade to the Knicks during their warm-up
The remainder of Portland’s roster quickly checked their phones, clearly unaware of the news
The former Lakers star has been a key player at Portland since his move from the Pelicans in 2022, offering both solid defence and a well-rounded offensive skillset.
Hart looked in good touch as he nailed three consecutive jumpers during the warm-up, but Lillard was still able to lead his franchise to victory without the forward, producing a superb triple-double with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Currently 10th in the Western Conference, Portland are bidding to return to the play-offs for the first time since 2020-21, having missed out last season.
Hart’s move to the Knicks was not the only shocking trade of the last 24 hours, with Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant completing a stunning switch to the Suns.
Phoenix have received Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round draft picks and a pick swap for letting go of both Durant and T.J. Warren.
The forward will now join New York, with Portland claiming Cam Reddish and a first-round pick
Hart was in fine form as he drained three consecutive jumpers in his warm-up on Wednesday
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