The Nix put out a statement on Friday that they are negotiating a contract with the players eligible for an extension until the end of the 2026/27 season.
One of those expansion eligible players Josh Harttalked about his contract situation at media day last monthadmitting that he would prefer to get a deal done sooner rather than later, and suggesting that opposition to the expansion could “wear people out” if it remains unresolved indefinitely.
“Hopefully we can figure it out,” Hart said then. “We know it’s a business and we know if some of these things aren’t cleared up by February, it could be a different conversation.”
However, the veteran guard/forward softened his stance somewhat when asked about the team’s statement Saturday, as reported by SNY Knicks (Link to video on Twitter).
“I don’t know. I mean, everything will work out” Hart said.I’m not really too stressed about it, too invested in it. Obviously, we have high expectations. It’s good that we can just focus on the season and keep it going.”
According to Christian Winfield of The New York Daily NewsHart said he wasn’t upset about the situation, in part because of his contract — he will make about $20.9 million this season and the Knicks have a $22.4 million team option in 2027-28.
“No, because at the end of the day I’m still under contract in New York. We have a great team that will try to repeat. (And) I’m in a weird situation off the field, so it’s not disappointing” Hart said.Obviously, you want to do some of these things, but you won’t lose sleep over it if you can’t. We are blessed to be here playing basketball for a living.
“So, you know, it doesn’t disappoint. You just have to make sure that you are able to block out the noise and any rumors that whoever said, the random person said that their sources, and so on, on Twitter. Just need to block it out and keep moving.”
Still, Hart acknowledged that it will be “difficult” to completely ignore his contract future at times, Winfield wrote.
“There will be days when you don’t think about it, when you just think, “You know, (expletive) let’s playHart said.And then on other days when it’s most important. We are people. Sometimes it’s hard when you don’t know what your future holds. So sometimes it’s hard to deal with it some days and some days you don’t even worry about it. You’re just focused on going there and getting a kiss.
“Obviously there’s a human side to it, but I’m cool now. I’m focused on the season.”
Winfield heard that Hart was willing to accept “significantly less” than the maximum he’s eligible for ($132 million over four years) to help the Knicks maintain their foundation in the coming seasons.
ESPN’s Shams Charania and Bobby Marks (YouTube references) told NBA Today on Friday that Hart and Karl-Anthony Townsagents (both represented by CAA, note Stefan Bondi of The New York Post) presented the team with scenarios where both players receive extensions that would allow the Knicks to avoid a second-round pick in 2027/28. Obviously nothing happened on that front.
Charanya said Towns was willing to take “tens of millions” less than his cap hit ($276 million over four years), but the Knicks weren’t willing to go higher than about $200 million over four years, which Towns reportedly considers “too much of a pay cut.” The star big man will make $57.1 million this season and has a $61 million player option for 2027/28.
Small towns admitted earlier this week that he was frustrated with the Knicks’ contract extension talks, telling reporters that he and the team weren’t close to reaching a deal and that he was surprised that there was such a big rift between the two sides after a championship season.
Miles McBridewho is also eligible for an extension, previously admitted that he “a bit disappointed” in the lack of momentum in his contract negotiations with the Knicks.
