Former Lakers First Rounder Exercises Budget Player Option for 2023 with New York
Lakers fans will definitely remember the young core that made up the team from the year 2016 after Kobe Bryant retired all the way up until 2019 arrived along with LeBron James and Anthony Davis soon after. Even though not a ton of games were won during those times and majority of those guys were shipped off to land AD in a huge blockbuster trade, they definitely connected with the fans in a way that hadn't been seen until this most recent year with Austin Reaves.
Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell, Lonzo Ball and Julius Randle were the lottery picks and expected to be the alphas that would lead the charge and restore LA to winning habits. Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart were the late first-round picks that were able to find productive roles within the team and eventually got dealt away as well.
Kuzma is entering free agency after the best season of his career with the Washington and is reportedly seeking up to $30 million a year. On the other hand, Josh Hart is coming off quite the 2023 campaign as well. He was traded to the New York Knicks at the deadline and in 25 games with them, he was able to average 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists and just opted into his contract with the squad for next year.
"Josh Hart has opted into his $12.9M contract to return to the Knicks next season, per @ShamsCharania"
He mirrored those numbers in the playoffs and even though they don't scream elite talent, anybody that tuned into Knicks games know the 'dirty work' role that he takes on every game. I also think back to a viral play here during his Lakers stint where he chased down a loose ball and defied most laws of physics to stay in bounds and keep the play alive.
That play perfectly describes who Hart is as a player and the Knicks were able to take down the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers in large part due to his play. The $13 million he'll make this season will certainly be a budget for New York but it's more of a prove-it move in my eyes for Hart.
He knows the type of value he brings to the organization and I fully expect a multiyear extension coming his way in the next few months or a whole new deal next offseason.
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