New York Knicks guard Josh Hart told NBA insider Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report that he plans to decline his 2023-24 player option worth $12.9 million and become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
However, that doesn’t mean Hart wants to leave the Knicks. The Villanova product told Rooks that he loves playing for New York.
“I love New York,” Hart said. “I love the team. I love the coaching staff, the front office that we have. We got young guys, draft picks, all those sort of things. So I mean, obviously that would be an ideal place for me to just re-sign there and do that.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Josh Hart & New York Knicks Updates
The Knicks acquired Hart from the Portland Trail Blazers on February 9. The 28-year-old averaged 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 25 games with New York while shooting 58.6% from the field, 51.9% from beyond the arc and 78.9% from the free-throw line.
“Everything’s perfect on the court, off the court,” Hart said. “With family being close to home, doing all those kinds of things. So fingers crossed that when free agency starts, I’ll say a deal gets done, hopefully in the first day or two. I would love for that to be home.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Josh Hart & New York Knicks Updates
The Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games but lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in six games. Hart averaged 10.4 points, 7.4 boards and 2.2 assists against the Cavaliers and Heat.
Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson and Hart are very close friends. They both went to Villanova and love playing with each other. It would shock many people around the NBA if New York doesn’t re-sign Hart, who has career averages of 9.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists with the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Blazers and Knicks.
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