Josh Hart signed his $81 million extension with the New York Knicks in Spain while face timing his wife. The guard told NBA reporter Joe Vardon of The Athletic that signing a lucrative extension “means a lot” to him.
“It was actually pretty cool, I was just laying down on the training table, getting some treatment, on FaceTime with her and signing the contract,” Hart said. “It meant a lot. I wasn’t highly touted coming out of high school, wasn’t highly regarded in the NBA draft, went through free agency the first time and I was restricted, it was a terrible experience for me, so to be able to do this, it’s a dream come true – just being able to have something that can take care of my parents, my family, my kids.
“So I mean, it’s hard to put into words,” Hart continued. “It’s really dope. My game, my style, my play, it’s not always the most glamorous, so it definitely shows that hard work pays off.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Josh Hart & New York Knicks Updates
Hart opted into his $12.6 million 2023-24 player option with the Knicks instead of testing free agency. New York 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 the Knicks while shooting 58.6% from the field, 51.9% from beyond the arc and 78.9% from the free-throw line.
The Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2023 NBA 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.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Josh Hart & New York Knicks Updates
Hart has career NBA averages of 9.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists with the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Blazers and Knicks. New York star Jalen Brunson and Hart are close friends. The Knicks also signed Donte DiVincenzo this summer in free agency. Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo were teammates in college at Villanova.
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