Ahead of the NBA trade deadline, the New York Knicks acquired Josh Hart from the Portland Trail Blazers. While it wasn’t the most headline-catching deal, it has quickly proven to be the most impactful transaction made.
Hart made his debut with the team on February 11th against the Utah Jazz. New York won that game 126-120 and it started what would end up being a nine-game winning streak. That streak came to an end on Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets but it helped the Knicks vault up the standings.
New York now sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39-28. They are 2.5 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for fourth place and four games ahead of the Miami Heat, who reside in the seventh seed.
Hart has been an integral part of that success. Every good team has players like Hart in their rotation, glue guys who aren’t afraid to do the dirty work to help the team win games.
In 11 games with the Knicks, Hart is averaging 11.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game. He is doing a little bit of everything, setting the tone for his teammates with his tenacity and hustle.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Josh Hart & New York Knicks Updates
The Villanova product has quickly endeared himself to the fans. There is a chance that this is a rental for the Knicks, as it is widely believed that Hart will decline his player option this summer. However, it sounds like the chances of him leaving are minuscule, as there is mutual interest in working out a long-term deal.
Hart is looking for some stability as the Knicks are the fourth team he has played on in six seasons. He has been traded three times and the longest he has stayed with one team is 2.5 seasons. The relationship that he has with the front office and players on the team are key factors in his wanting to remain in New York City.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Josh Hart & New York Knicks Updates
From the Knicks’ perspective, they wouldn’t have surrendered Cam Reddish and a future first-round pick for a player that would be a rental. They love Hart and he is a favorite of Tom Thibodeau’s.
Working out a long-term deal, which could be for three or four years according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, would be best for both sides.
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