Josh Hart Knicks Extension: When and How Much?

Josh Hart agreed to return to the New York Knicks on a team-friendly player option but a big payday could be coming his way before the summer lets out.

There will come a payday someday. For Josh Hart, that could sooner rather than later.

The New York Knicks' prized trade deadline acquisition played above and beyond the $12.9 million player option for the 2023-24 season attached to the contract that came over from the Portland Trail Blazers. In 25 appearances with the Knicks, Hart averaged 10.2 points and seven rebounds while helping New York lock up the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference as well as its first playoff series victory in a decade.

Hart originally announced his intentions to deny the player option and test the free agent market but was convinced to accept it. Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News is reporting that his patience may pay off sooner rather than later.

"The word on Hart’s extension, which will be delivered in August, is in the range of four years, $75 million," Bondy reported in a write-up praising the Knicks' ability to find strong returns on investment. 

Even with his so-called threats to test the market, Hart made it clear that wouldn't have many qualms with an extended stay in New York, which began to refer to as "home" shortly after his arrival.

The trade between the Knicks and Blazers reunited Hart with his collegiate teammate Jalen Brunson and another former Villanova Wildcat has entered the metropolitan fold in the form of Donte DiVincenzo. Mostly set to run the same roster back from last season (with DiVincenzo stepping in for the traded Obi Toppin), the Knicks have an intriguing, if not challenging, future ahead.

That future, which the Knicks likely hope is headlined by the core of Brunson and Julius Randle and perhaps one more All-Star, is now set to include Hart.  

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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