Josh Hart during warm-ups, right before he learns that he's been traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the New York Knicks. Feb 8, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Josh Hart (11) warms up prior to a game against the Golden State Warriors at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 pm ET, and the action is heating up on Wednesday night. That also makes for a very uncomfortable situation for players.

Ahead of Wednesday night’s between the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center, Blazers players gathered around a phone to learn about a reported trade.

That trade features Blazers guard Josh Hart going to the New York Knicks in exchange for Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk, and a protected future first-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Austin White of the Portland Tribune took a couple of incredible photos showing Hart and the Blazers learning about the trade during warm-ups.

That’s a great example of the world we live in now, and a reminder that the athletes don’t know much more than the average person when it comes to trade rumors.

While Hart may be disappointed to leave Portland (and to find out he was traded the way he did), he’s at least going to a Knicks (30-26; seventh in the Eastern Conference) team that would be in the playoffs at the moment, unlike the Blazers (26-28).

Hart, 27, is averaging 9.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists this season.

[Austin White on Twitter]

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.