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Kings Notes: After finally playing, Hart ponders future
The reserve guard wants more chances to get on the floor.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Whether it's in Sacramento or elsewhere, Jason Hart is not done yet.
The veteran point guard, who saw his first action of the regular season Thursday night at Golden State, said he still has plenty to offer at the NBA level, never mind his limited role thus far this season.
"I'll be a free agent at the end of the year, so I've got to play hard and play every game like it's my last," Hart said. "I was the only one who hadn't played, probably, in the NBA, so it felt good to get a chance to play. ... It's not my last year in the NBA. By no means. By no means."
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Hart said he had wondered if his next career move would come before the regular season. Hart, who will be paid $1.68 million this season in the final year of his contract, said he approached Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie during training camp to ask if he was going to be waived before the regular season. Petrie, Hart said, told him he would not be.
Hart also said his agent, Bill Neff, has discussed trade possibilities on more than one occasion with Petrie, hoping to keep his player from the sort of dead-end role he's held of late.
"I was just trying to see if there's an opportunity, if there's not an opportunity; 'Do I fit or do I not fit?' " Hart said of his talk with Petrie. "I understand the business, but I'm 28 years old. If they're going another direction, then I can respect that. I probably don't agree with it, but it's a business and that's how it goes.
"I just want an opportunity to go somewhere, if (a trade) did happen, to play. It's nothing personal."
After playing sparingly during the exhibition season and sitting for the first seven regular-season games, Hart had a long-awaited breakout of sorts Thursday, scoring nine points on 3-for-5 shooting in 21 minutes against the Warriors. There was no time for the rust factor, Hart said, when Kings coach Eric Musselman called his number.
"When you get an opportunity, and they don't come often, you'd better make good on it," Hart said. "You're not only playing for Sacramento, but you're playing for other teams as well, so you've got to be able to perform anytime your name is called. ... I'm playing to win, but I'm also showcasing myself in case I'm not here. It's not my last year in the NBA."
The Kings acquired Hart from Charlotte in July 2005 for a second-round draft pick. While the veteran has played for four teams in his six-season career, his finest campaign was with the Bobcats in 2004-05, when he averaged 9.5 points and five rebounds as both a starter and reserve.
Kings Notes: After finally playing, Hart ponders future
The reserve guard wants more chances to get on the floor.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Whether it's in Sacramento or elsewhere, Jason Hart is not done yet.
The veteran point guard, who saw his first action of the regular season Thursday night at Golden State, said he still has plenty to offer at the NBA level, never mind his limited role thus far this season.
"I'll be a free agent at the end of the year, so I've got to play hard and play every game like it's my last," Hart said. "I was the only one who hadn't played, probably, in the NBA, so it felt good to get a chance to play. ... It's not my last year in the NBA. By no means. By no means."
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Hart said he had wondered if his next career move would come before the regular season. Hart, who will be paid $1.68 million this season in the final year of his contract, said he approached Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie during training camp to ask if he was going to be waived before the regular season. Petrie, Hart said, told him he would not be.
Hart also said his agent, Bill Neff, has discussed trade possibilities on more than one occasion with Petrie, hoping to keep his player from the sort of dead-end role he's held of late.
"I was just trying to see if there's an opportunity, if there's not an opportunity; 'Do I fit or do I not fit?' " Hart said of his talk with Petrie. "I understand the business, but I'm 28 years old. If they're going another direction, then I can respect that. I probably don't agree with it, but it's a business and that's how it goes.
"I just want an opportunity to go somewhere, if (a trade) did happen, to play. It's nothing personal."
After playing sparingly during the exhibition season and sitting for the first seven regular-season games, Hart had a long-awaited breakout of sorts Thursday, scoring nine points on 3-for-5 shooting in 21 minutes against the Warriors. There was no time for the rust factor, Hart said, when Kings coach Eric Musselman called his number.
"When you get an opportunity, and they don't come often, you'd better make good on it," Hart said. "You're not only playing for Sacramento, but you're playing for other teams as well, so you've got to be able to perform anytime your name is called. ... I'm playing to win, but I'm also showcasing myself in case I'm not here. It's not my last year in the NBA."
The Kings acquired Hart from Charlotte in July 2005 for a second-round draft pick. While the veteran has played for four teams in his six-season career, his finest campaign was with the Bobcats in 2004-05, when he averaged 9.5 points and five rebounds as both a starter and reserve.
