Josh Hart spoke to the media about the uncertainty surrounding his contract extension with the New York Knicks. After practice on Saturday, Hart stated, "Everything is gonna work out, so I’m not really too stressed over it, [or] put too much into it." He emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming season despite the lack of a contract extension. Hart expressed a desire to avoid contract discussions affecting team performance, noting that ideally, negotiations would have been settled before the season began.
The Knicks announced on Friday that they would suspend all contract extension negotiations until later in the season, adhering to owner James Dolan’s directive to avoid exceeding the salary cap's second apron. Hart, who is eligible for a four-year, $131.2 million extension, acknowledged that the uncertainty could impact players, stating, "There will be days when you don’t think about it, days where you’re like, ‘Let’s hoop,’ and then other days where it’s top of the mind."
Hart is currently set to earn $20.9 million this year, with a team option for $22.3 million next year. He and teammate Karl-Anthony Towns have indicated a willingness to make financial sacrifices to maintain team cohesion, although Hart noted that progress on negotiations has been limited. Towns has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the Knicks' offer, which has been reported to be around $200 million over four years, falling short of his maximum value.
Jalen Brunson, another key player for the Knicks, is also eligible for an extension next year and is expected to seek a significant pay raise. Hart remarked, "At the end of the day, I’m under contract in New York. We have a hell of a team that’s gonna try and repeat."
Brunson commented on Hart's professionalism amidst the contract uncertainty, stating, "He’s gonna be a professional. Not just him — everybody. Everyone’s gonna be professional and continue to do their jobs." Brunson emphasized the importance of focusing on their roles and not letting external distractions affect their performance. He added, "There’s only potential distractions when you read and believe what people are saying."
Hart and Brunson both highlighted the need for the team to remain united and focused as they prepare for the season ahead.