Some Knicks fans will hate this because Hart means everything to them. Some Knicks fans will love it because they think Hart is dead money. In reality, Hart is a very, very good player. The issue is is that hes not a great defender and hes not a great 3 point shooter. He does everything else at a near exceptional level.

Here, the Clippers get an elite 6 man who perfectly matches their timeline of wanting cap space in 2 seasons. Hart has a team option on his last year, so hell join the likes of Harden, Kawhi, bogdan, and others in giving the Clippers potentially 100 mil+ in cap space. Outside of the money, Hart fits this team fantastically as a 6 man. Hes a great rebounder and great in transition. The rebounding especially can help him play next to Brook Lopez. His lack of shooting will also be less of an issue due to the movement of shooting of guys like Bogdan and Norm Powell(a big reason why Hart worked last year was cause he was next to donte). The 2030 first could be very valuable if stuff goes bad for the Clips so the top 5 protection is there. If it doesn't convey itll turn into top 5 protected the next year and then either unprotected or like 3-4 seconds(I know thats pretty different but things but not too important).

As for the Knicks, the Knicks clear up some cap flexibility here while getting a guy who likely fits better as a better defender and at the very least willing spot up shooter. DJJ isnt great, but hes about 36% the last 2 years and was 37% on catch and shoots last year. Almost more importantly, the knicks sign one of Russ or Ben as a Hart replacement. they dont get both(they wont have the roster spots for both), but both russ and ben do a lot of what Hart does. Both can't really shoot(especially Ben), but both are very good defenders and rebounders and are playmakers and very good in transition. Knicks fans will hate me comparing hart to these 2 guys, but its true, both these guys at worst are about 70% of Hart, and at best can be better than Hart(at least Ben in theory could be I mean dude was avg like 18-8-8 with 2+ steals playing all defense level in his prime, which he will never reach again). As a bench man secondary ball handler archetype I think these guys fill in for Hart fantastically. Also, Knicks likely just waive Kobe Brown after signing him, hes not much.

I def stole this from someone else a bit but added a bit of my own twist. Let me know your guys thoughts, i think both teams get better here.

Lineups:

Knicks: Brunson, Mikal, Og, Kat, Mitch -- Bench: Clarkson, McBride, Simmons, DJJ, Yabu with Huk, Pacome, Kolek, Mccullar as security

Clippers: Harden, Dunn, Norm, Kawhi, Zubac -- Bench Bogdan, Hart, Coffey(if they resign), batum, Brook(that bench is fucking awesome if brook and hart play at the level they did even just last year and bogdan two years ago, he was a bit down shooting wise).