Knicks Finalizing Deal to Keep Standout Josh Hart in New York With Big Pay Increase

Josh Hart - Miami Heat v New York Knicks - Game One

(Photo : Elsa/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Josh Hart (#3) of the New York Knicks reacts to a call in the second half against the Miami Heat during game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2023 in New York City. The Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 108-101.

The New York Knicks are finalizing bringing back standout guard Josh Hart on a four-year extension worth $81 million, effective during the 2024-25 NBA season.

New York Knicks G Josh Hart is finalizing a four-year, $81 million contract extension, Aaron Mintz, Dave Spahn and Steven Heumann of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN. Deal delivers Hart a total of $94M through 2027-2028 season. pic.twitter.com/PNlhKWka4g
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 9, 2023

Hart opted in on the $13 million player option for 2023-24 on his current contract before signing the extension that will keep him in the Big Apple until the conclusion of the 2027-28 NBA season.

He will earn $94 million by the end of the new extension, and the new deal is the maximum raise he could receive.

The former Villanova Wildcat previously signed a three-year, $38 million extension with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021 as a restricted free agent.

Hart was acquired by New York from the Portland Trail Blazers in a multi-team trade last February 2023, just a year after he arrived in Portland from New Orleans in another trade featuring several players.

The 2016 NCAA champion averaged 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 58.6 percent from the field in 25 games with the Knicks last season since he arrived.

He also made his postseason debut in 2023, appearing in all the Knicks' 11 games in the playoffs, where they were eliminated in the second round by NBA Finals runner-up Miami Heat.

Josh Hart bound for FIBA World Cup

The 28-year-old is part of the roster of Team USA that will compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will be held primarily in the Philippines from August 25 to September 10.

Hart will continue his participation with Team USA after finalizing the new deal with the Knicks today, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.