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Knicks’ Josh Hart gives peak into free agency plans in interview

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks celebrates after he drew the foul in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat during game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on May 02, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 111-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks celebrates after he drew the foul in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat during game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on May 02, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 111-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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It’s finally June, which means that at the end of this month, free agency will unofficially begin. Last year the New York Knicks inked free agent Jalen Brunson to a four-year deal and this year, it’ll likely be Josh Hart’s turn to sign a deal with the organization.

New York acquired Hart ahead of the trade deadline knowing that he had a $12.96 million player option in 2023-24. It didn’t take long for Hart to establish himself with the Knicks. For a couple of weeks, New York was invincible with Hart on the roster and didn’t lose a game. In the playoffs, he excelled in the first round against the Cavaliers and had his fair share of struggles against the Heat in the semifinals, but that didn’t change how fans feel about him.

Since becoming a Knick in February, Hart has said several times that he wants to be in New York long-term. He’s been able to reunite with Brunson on the court for the first time since their Villanova days. As for his personal life, he and his wife recently welcomed twin boys, and it seems as if making New York home is important to Hart.

In a recent Bleacher Report interview with Taylor Rooks, Hart gave a peek into his free agency plans while raving about the time that he’s spent on the Knicks.

Expected free agent Josh Hart says Knicks are “ideal place” for him

In true Josh Hart fashion, when Taylor Rooks asked him about how he’s expected to decline his player option, he said: “I’m gonna retire.” After getting that laugh out of the way, Hart said that he’ll “probably” decline his player option.

The 28-year-old said that his restricted free agency a few years ago was hard on him, but that he doesn’t expect this free agency period to be anything like that.

"“I love New York. I love the team. I love the coaching staff, the front office that we have. We got young guys, draft picks, you know, all those sort of things. I mean, obviously that would be an ideal place for me to just, you know, re-sign there and do that.”"

That should be music to the ears of Knicks fans everywhere. Sitting at the top of New York’s offseason list should be signing Hart to a new deal, and Leon Rose is well aware of that. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Hart’s new contract is expected to be somewhere in the four-year, $70-$75 million range.

There isn’t a question of whether or not Josh Hart wants to stay with the Knicks, so all that’s left to do is for him to opt out of his player option and sign a new deal to remain in New York.