New York Knicks wing Josh Hart has apparently already made his decision about entering the free agent market. Unsurprisingly, Hart told Taylor Rooks of TNT and Bleacher Report on Monday that he will decline his $12.96 million player option.
Josh Hart tells @TaylorRooks he's likely declining his player option to test free agency 👀
He'd love to stay in New York pic.twitter.com/1sAY9kySla
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 5, 2023
NBA Rumors: Josh Hart to Opt-Out, Plans To Re-Sign with Knicks
While Hart will test the open market, he said he enjoyed his time in New York and would like to re-sign with the Knicks if the money works.
“I love New York. I love the team. I love the coaching staff and the front office that we have. Obviously, that would be an ideal place for me, to just re-sign there. Everything’s perfect off the court and on the court.”
Hart is expected to attract interest from several other teams due to his all-around game. The 28-year-old upped his value during the playoffs and is projected to command between $15-$18 annually with his next contract, according to four NBA executives who spoke to Hoops Hype Michael Scotto last month.
Hart added that he expects to decide within the first couple of days in after free agency commences. Unlike what happened the last time he was on the open market. Hart was a restricted free agent in 2021, and while he signed a three-year, $37.92 million pact with a player option, it took weeks for everything to finalize.
“I kind of actually cried a little bit. It took like three weeks to get it done. I was like, ‘Do people want me in the league?’ I don’t think this free agency will go that way.”
Success With the Knicks
Hart was a big reason New York reached the conference semifinals for the first time since 2012-13. Before acquiring Hart from Portland at the trade deadline, the Knicks were in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. But the Knicks went 17-8 in the 25 games that Hart played in, and they moved up to the fifth seed. New York defeated No. 5 seed Cleveland in five games but fell to Miami in six in round two.
Hart also immediately became a fan favorite of fans and head coach Tom Thibodeau. He gets after it on the defensive end and is a relentless rebounder. Hart has become a more efficient scorer and playmaker in the past few years.
Hart averaged 10.2 points with a shooting slash line of .586/.519/ .789 in 30 minutes a game for the Knicks in the regular season. He also produced 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and committed 1.5 turnovers. His 1.6 points per shot and 67% effective field goal percentage were a career-best.
While the Heat exposed Hart’s perimeter shooting, he still put up solid numbers in his postseason debut. Hart scored in double-figures in eight of 11 playoff games and produced three double-doubles. He finished with 114 points (10.2 per game) and 81 rebounds (7.4). Hart shot 47.9% from the field and just 31.3% from beyond the arc.
Should the Knicks re-sign Josh Hart?
It sounds like New York will have to open its wallets to keep Hart. Scotto indicated just on the HoopsHype podcast. Scotto was joined by SNY’s Ian Begley and New York Daily News Knicks beat writer Stefan Bondy for the episode.
“At the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, the buzz from the Knicks, rival executives, and even rival agents was that Josh Hart was going to re-sign with the Knicks. I think four years, $72 million for him, would seemingly be ideal.”
While the money may seem a little too high, Hart’s production in New York makes it almost a no-brain decision for the Knicks to re-sign him. However, the fact that Hart is willing to do all the “hard-hat stuff” should make it an even easier choice to do so. It also doesn’t hurt that he and Jalen Brunson are close friends. The Knicks do own Hart’s Bird rights. Therefore, they can offer him more than anyone else if owner James Dolan doesn’t mind paying the tax penalty.
New York has 15 players under contract for next season, including Hart, with salaries totaling $172 million. However, the Knicks are expected to save $15.6 million by not exercising the club option on Derrick Rose. The Knicks also have been rumored to be “in search” of another star, and that would require them to trade some of their assets.
Teams Who Could Pursue Josh Hart?
As mentioned above, there likely won’t be any shortage of teams interested in the 6-5 wing, if Hart indeed spots out. While there has not been any substantiated reports of who will try to lure him and away from New York, the following are teams to keep an eye out for.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland’s main priority this summer is to add 3-and-D type wings. Hart checks most of those boxes, with the only question mark being 3-point shooting. The Cavaliers can sign Hart with over $12 million cap space available and the non-taxpayer exception ($12.2 million). But would they sign Hart at the expense of Caris LeVert walking?
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is in a bit of a holding pattern as they await Commissioner Adam Silver’s decision on the length of Ja Morant’s suspension. But Hart would fit with the Grizzlies, essentially replacing the malcontent Dillon Brooks. Hart is a better player than Brooks in every area besides scoring. However, Memphis would have to make a few roster moves to sign Hart, as they have 14 players under contract and are over the cap.
Dallas Mavericks
Hart would be the perfect compliment to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, as he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. The Mavericks could easily sign Hart if Irving decides to bolt. Otherwise, the Mavs would likely have to trade Tim Hardaway Jr. and release the cap hold on Christian Wood.
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is coming off its best season in 18 years. The Kings need defensive help, and Hart would be fantastic alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. But they would have to possibly allow Harrison Barnes to leave via free agency to make it work.
Houston Rockets
Houston has plenty of cap space. While the Rockets don’t need help on the wing,they do need players who can defend. Hart would also be an exceptional mentor to the Rockets youngsters.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Like Houston, OKC needs to add a veteran or two. Hart would fit like a glove alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
