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Predicting the contract Knicks’ Josh Hart will sign in free agency

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - MAY 10: Josh Hart (3) of the New York Knicks is seen before the Game 5 of NBA second-round playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden in New York, United States on May 10, 2023. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - MAY 10: Josh Hart (3) of the New York Knicks is seen before the Game 5 of NBA second-round playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden in New York, United States on May 10, 2023. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks don’t have a big signing to make in free agency like they did last summer with Jalen Brunson, but they will be tasked with signing one of Brunson’s good friends. Josh Hart ended the last three months of the 2022-23 season with the Knicks and is expected to sign a long-term contract with the organization in free agency.

Hart has a $12.96 million player option for 2023-24 that he’s expected to decline. In a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, he said that he will indeed opt out and that it would be “ideal” to sign a new contract to remain in New York. The 28-year-old was born to be a Knick and he should get his wish this summer.

In 2021, the Pelicans signed Hart to a three-year deal worth up to $38 million when he was a restricted free agent. This offseason, he could sign a deal that’s worth double that.

What contract will New York Knicks’ Josh Hart sign in free agency?

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto believes that a four-year, $72 million deal would make sense for Josh Hart. That comes down to about $18 million annually, which would be fair and a definite upgrade over the nearly $13 million that he’d be making if he opted in.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Hart sign a deal that’s worth even more than $72 million. It’s merely a prediction, but a four-year, $74 million contract for Hart sounds about right. When you compare a deal like that to the four-year, $104 million contract that Jalen Brunson signed last offseason, it’s another reminder that New York got its star point guard on an underpay.

Similar to Brunson, Hart will likely be on a descending contract, which would obviously be in the Knicks’ favor. Outside of the atrocious Evan Fournier signing that happened before Leon Rose took over in 2020, the front office has been smart with the contracts that have been given out.

Josh Hart deserves to be a Knick for a long time. He has been a seamless fit since day one. His pending unrestricted free agency should be far different than his restricted free agency a few years ago and for good reason.