According to New York Knicks wing Josh Hart, he had interest in teaming up with a former NBA champion this season. In a recent interview, Hart said he “texted” veteran point guard and fellow Villanova alum Kyle Lowry after the 38-year-old was bought out by the Charlotte Hornets in February:
“Yeah, I texted his a–,” Hart said. “I told him, ‘Pull up.’ Told him, ‘F— with us.’ But obviously that didn’t happen, so f— him.”
Lowry eventually signed with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers. In 11 games played with the 76ers, Lowry has averaged 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
Furthermore, Hart talked about what makes Lowry a good player at this stage in his career, citing the Knicks’ playoff series against Lowry and the Miami Heat last year:
“He’s able to think through plays. He makes heads-up plays.” Hart referenced Game 1 of the Knicks’ second-round series last year: “I felt like we were kind of on a little comeback, a little run,” and then, after what seemed like a “big stop,” Lowry, then a member of the Miami Heat, poked a rebound out of Mitchell Robinson’s hands, leading to a 3 that tilted the momentum in Miami’s favor. “It’s just little, small plays like that that he makes all the time.”
Josh Hart “Texted” Former NBA Champion to Join New York Knicks
Would Kyle Lowry Have Been a Good Fit for the Knicks?
Although Lowry has not been an NBA All-Star since the 2019-20 season, he can still contribute at a high level. Following the signing, head coach Nick Nurse, who coached Lowry with the 2018-19 champion Toronto Raptors, praised the guard’s competitive nature:
Nobody competes like that guy. I haven’t had a player in my entire coaching career that competes like that guy. That’s the highest compliment I can give him.
The Knicks are a team that values competitiveness and hustle play. For that alone, Lowry could have fit in well with the team. Furthermore, Lowry would have provided good depth to New York’s backcourt.
New York already has a solid starting point guard in budding star Jalen Brunson. For now, it appears Brunson, also a Villanova product, is going to be the team’s starting point guard for the next several years. Additionally, the Knicks have a solid backup point guard already in Miles McBride. However, beyond these two, the Knicks were thin at the point guard position at the time of Lowry’s buyout.
Earlier this month, the Knicks signed veteran point guard Shake Milton after the Detroit Pistons waived him. Had Lowry joined the team, it is unlikely the Knicks would have added Milton.
The Last Word on Kyle Lowry
Lowry’s NBA career is on its last legs. Whether he has another season in him remains unknown. Currently, the 40-27 Knicks are in a better spot than the 37-30 76ers. However, Philadelphia can still get reigning MVP Joel Embiid back in time for the playoffs. If they do, they are a serious contender to make a deep postseason run.
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