Josh Hart has been a spark plug for the Knicks since he’s joined the team. Should extending Hart be a priority for the Knicks in the offseason?
Since his arrival to the Knicks, Josh Hart has made an instant impact on both ends of the floor. The Knicks haven’t lost yet with Hart in the lineup and are currently on a 6 game winning streak. Hart is averaging 13.8 PPG and 5.3 RPG while shooting an efficient 61.2 % from the field. The energy that he’s played with fits right into Tom Thibodeau’s system and something that can be beneficial for the Knicks down the line.
Josh Hart has a $12.9 million dollar player option next season and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Hart has already stated how he wants to be with the Knicks long term and call New York his “ home”. Since coming into the league in 2017, Hart has been on quite a few teams. He was a part of the Anthony Davis trade to the Lakers in 2019 and was traded again last season to the Blazers for C.J McCollum.
Resign or Release?
With the young core that the Knicks have, it would make a lot of sense for the Knicks to sign Hart to an extension this offseason. He’s been a solid role player in his career so far and has the potential to be even better in the future. Also, his relationship with former Villanova teammate Jalen Brunson is an added plus for the team’s morale and chemistry moving forward.
The Knicks are in a groove right now and Josh Hart is a big part of that. If he continues to contribute to this team the way he has thus far, the Knicks should not hesitate to sign Hart to a multi year deal. If the Knicks want to continue building a culture, keeping players for the future is key, which is the reason why Josh Hart should be a Knick for years to come.
