Josh Hart Reflects on Tanking Experiences with Trail Blazers

Former Portland player says 'winning' players find tanking 'extremely frustrating'

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:49pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp planes of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange overlapping to create a sense of motion and chaos, reflecting the internal challenges of intentionally losing games.A cubist interpretation of the frustrations and complexities of tanking in the modern NBA.NYC Today

In a recent ESPN article, former Portland Trail Blazers wing Josh Hart discussed his experiences playing for a tanking team after being traded to the Blazers in 2022. Hart said that while some players are content to just 'shoot terrible shots and do whatever' on a tanking team, 'winning' players like himself find the environment 'extremely frustrating'.

Why it matters

Tanking has become a common NBA strategy in recent years, as teams try to position themselves for high draft picks. Hart's comments provide insight into how this approach can impact players, especially those accustomed to competing. The Blazers have struggled with losing in recent seasons as they've aimed to rebuild through the draft.

The details

Josh Hart was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in February 2022, along with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and other assets, in exchange for CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell. The Blazers won 27 games that season and 33 the following year as they embraced a rebuilding approach. Hart was then traded to the New York Knicks almost a year after arriving in Portland. In the ESPN article, Hart said that while some players are content to just 'shoot terrible shots and do whatever' on a tanking team, 'winning' players like himself find the environment 'extremely frustrating'.

  • Josh Hart was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in February 2022.
  • The Blazers won 27 games in the 2021-22 season and 33 games the following year.
  • Josh Hart was traded from the Blazers to the New York Knicks almost a year after arriving in Portland.

The players

Josh Hart

A forward who was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022 and then to the New York Knicks a year later.

Portland Trail Blazers

An NBA team that has struggled with losing in recent seasons as they've aimed to rebuild through the draft.

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What they’re saying

“'Some players are just happy to be out there and just shoot terrible shots and just do whatever. But for quote, unquote 'winning' players, it is extremely frustrating.'”

— Josh Hart, Former Portland Trail Blazers player

What’s next

The Blazers will look to continue their rebuilding efforts and try to earn their first winning season in five years.

The takeaway

Josh Hart's comments highlight the challenges that 'winning' players can face when joining a team that is intentionally losing games in order to improve their draft position. This provides a window into the human impact of tanking strategies that have become increasingly common in the NBA.