All Knicks

Knicks SF Josh Hart Due For Big Payday; How Much Should He Get?

Josh Hart should make millions as a free agent this summer, and will likely sign a new contract with the New York Knicks.

Jeremy Brener

In this story:

The New York Knicks hope to make a big splash in free agency this summer, but the team also has a big task on its own in trying to keep midseason trade acquisition Josh Hart.

Hart, 28, was crucial for the Knicks in their stretch run after coming over from the trade deadline, averaging 10.2 points and seven rebounds per game with New York in 25 appearances. In the playoffs, Hart maintained his positive production, which he should be able to parlay into a nice new contract this summer now that he has expressed his intentions to decline the $12.9 million player option originally due his way on the contract that came over from Portland.

Hart would be the sixth-best free agent on the market, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic.

"Hart was outstanding after his trade to New York and had a really good stretch in the second half of 2021-22 in the brief window between his trade to Portland and the Blazers pivoting to abject tanking," The Athletic writes. "That said, New York won big by bringing him in from Portland for the cost of a late first. Hart surely will opt out of his below-market contract, but one presumes he’ll be back in New York on a multi-year deal that pays him like a plus wing starter (in the $20 million range) for the next three or four years."

A $20 million per year contract for a sixth man is pricey, but Hart has earned every penny. His chemistry with Jalen Brunson, first developed at Villanova University, also adds to his value and makes him a top priority for the Knicks to sign this offseason.

This could hurt New York's chances at signing any bigger outside free agents, but aside from Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Fred VanVleet, and former Knicks center Kristaps Porzingis, there aren't many options on the open market better than Hart.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Knicks? Click Here.

Follow AllKnicks.com on Twitter.

Want even more New York Knicks news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published
Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

Home/News