The New York Knicks made a wise decision at the NBA trade deadline, acquiring 28-year-old swingman Josh Hart from the Portland Trail Blazers, but knew there would be some risk involved.
Hart, who inked a three-year, $37.9 million deal in 2021, has a player option for 2023-24, which many predicted he'd opt out of following a stellar run with the Knicks. During a conversation with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks, Hart confirmed the rumors and announced that he'll become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this summer.
"We'll probably decline [the player option] and do the free agency thing," Hart told Rooks. "My first free agency, I was restricted, and it was a--. I kind of actually cried a little bit. It took like three weeks to get it done. I'm like, 'Damn, do people want me in the league?' I don't think this free agency will go this way."
Although Hart will test free agency, he has made his intentions clear that he would like to return to the Knicks and continue playing alongside his college teammate Jalen Brunson.
"I love New York. I love the team," Hart said. "I love the coaching staff, the front office that we have. We got young guys, draft picks, all those sorts of things. Obviously, that would be an ideal place for me to just re-sign and do that."
Josh Hart tells @TaylorRooks he's likely declining his player option to test free agency
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 5, 2023
He'd love to stay in New York pic.twitter.com/1sAY9kySla
While midseason acquisitions usually take time to adjust to their new system, Hart's transition to the Knicks was seamless.
The former Villanova Wildcat brought a little bit of everything to New York and averaged 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a Knick. With Hart in the lineup, the Knicks posted a 17-8 record in 25 regular season games, including a nine-game winning streak to begin his tenure.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Hart's potential extension with New York could see him earn $18 million annually. One Eastern Conference executive says the Knicks might be reluctant to offer Hart a four-year deal but would "cave" if he insisted on receiving one, per Heavy Sports.
In his sitdown with Rooks, Hart said he aims to agree on a new deal within the first two days of free agency. Teams can begin negotiating contracts with free agents on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, with deals becoming official starting July 6.
After years of being considered a laughingstock around the Association, the Knicks finally have reasons to feel optimistic about the franchise's direction. They'll need to add another star to truly assert themselves in the upper echelon of teams, but retaining a player like Hart is imperative when constructing a championship-caliber roster.
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