Josh Hart & New York Knicks Agree To A Four-Year $81 million Agreement
The New York Knicks announced on Thursday that guard Josh Hart has signed a contract extension.
Both parties were nearing completion on a four-year, $81 million contract deal, his agent told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday. He is expected to earn $94 million through the 2027-28 season.
The 28-year-old is currently training with Team USA in preparation for the FIBA World Cup, which will be held in the Philippines later this month. According to reports, he became eligible to sign the contract on Wednesday.
Last season, Hart averaged 9.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 32.3 minutes per game for the Knicks in 76 appearances, starting 52 of them.
Hart’s rebounding was critical for the Knicks, especially during a postseason in which New York reached the Eastern Conference semifinals before falling to the Miami Heat’s historic run.
“Josh’s immediate impact on our team last season — both on and off the court — cannot be understated,” said Knicks president Leon Rose in a statement. “Josh’s leadership and competitiveness fit perfectly with the culture we’re creating.”
His professional career began in 2017 when he was picked with the 30th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was involved in the transaction that transferred Anthony Davis to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019.
Right before the 2022 deadline, New Orleans traded Hart to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was traded to the Knicks after averaging 9.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in his first full season with Portland.
The news emerged only minutes before he was supposed to join the Trail Blazers for their game against the Golden State Warriors.
His signing with the Knicks brought him back into contact with former Villanova teammate Jalen Brunson.
In June, Hart exercised his $12.9 million player option for the 2023-2024 season with the Knicks, allowing the team to deploy a full mid-level exception and go over the cap in free agency to sign Donte DiVincenzo to a new four-year deal. DiVincenzo is a former Wildcat as well.
Brunson and Hart are joined on Team USA by Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges. The trio guided the Wildcats to two national titles in 2016 and 2018.
