Hart-breaker? Knicks' Newcomer Labeled Biggest 'Flight Risk'
Could the New York Knicks' Josh Hart era end before it truly even begins?
There's mutual interest in keeping this collaboration going: Hart himself says that New York has a feeling of "home" after rotating through four teams in his first six NBA seasons and the Knicks are 3-0 since the former Portland Trail Blazer donned blue-and-orange.
That, however, didn't keep him off the list of potential offseason NBA "flight risks" curated by Bleacher Report. Hart's future will be a major talking point no matter how the Knicks' roller-coaster season end and that discussion begins with the $12.9 player option on his contract. His inclusion on the list assumes that he is "all but certain to decline" that deal.
"At 28 when free agency rolls around, the six-year veteran would be foolish to pass on the chance to re-enter the market in search of a richer deal," Grant Hughes writes. "Though Hart's dwindling three-point volume (career-low 2.3 attempts per game) and iffy accuracy (34.1 percent) are causes for concern, he's still a quality starting wing who can defend, crash the glass, and do real damage in transition. Plus, he's showing no issue draining treys since joining the Knicks.
"Teams with cap space will see him as a plug-and-play piece, and it'll be a surprise if he can't get at least $16 million per year on a new deal."
In short, Hart has a fair and unique amount of leverage on his deal. While he has enjoyed his time in New York to date, a period no doubt sweetened by a collegiate reunion with former Villanova teammate Jalen Brunson, the allure of a new contract could be too tempting to pass up.
In addition to averaging a new career-best in rebounding (8.2 with Portland before coming over), Hart has re-discovered some of his scoring prowess with the Knicks, averaging 17 points and shooting 62 percent from the field in his first three contests thus far.
Of course, one way to convince Hart that better fortunes lie ahead is to keep winning and establishing a strong foundation headlined by Brunson's breakout campaign. The three-game winning streak assembled upon Hart's arrival allowed the Knicks (33-27) to sneak into the sixth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot by the time the All-Star break began last week.
Hart and the Knicks return to action on Friday when they take on the Washington Wizards in the nation's capital (7 p.m. ET, MSG).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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