Optimism Emerges in Josh Hart's Knicks Future

Josh Hart has been a godsend to not only headline writers during the New York Knicks' recent resurgence but also the team itself.

Though he refuses to take credit for it, Hart's arrival kickstarted a nine-game winning streak for the Knicks, moving them from seventh to fifth place in a competitive Eastern Conference.

Hart has hardly been a bystander since coming over from Portland in a deadline deal, as he's averaging 11 points and 6.7 rebounds through 11 appearances, all in relief. Though the Knicks fell to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, Hart hauled in 15 rebounds, the eight offensive tallies tying a New York record.

Doubters have warned Knicks fans that Hart could wind up being a rental for a playoff trek set to be ruled by the cream of the conference like Milwaukee or Boston. But new intel from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype has hinted that Hart and the Knicks are already keeping each other in their long-term thoughts.

"He’s been a Swiss army knife for the Knicks as a versatile role player. Hart has almost a $13 million player option this summer, which he’s expected to decline and become a free agent. But fear not Knicks fans, Hart loves the fit in New York, and the Knicks want to re-sign him in free agency."

"I don’t see him leaving. I see him getting either a three or four-year deal at some point once he becomes eligible."

That's as optimistic of an update as one can hope for when it comes to Knicks free agency updates at this point of the year. So many postseason fortunes are either redeemed or destroyed through deadline moves only for the players involved to often immediately hit the open market once the run ends.

Hart, however, has taken an instant liking to New York upon his arrival, needing just one game to say that the city felt like "home."

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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