'NY is Home!': Knicks' Josh Hart Speaks; Hints at Long-Term Deal?

Against all odds, Josh Hart is back with the New York Knicks on his player option for the 2023-24 season. Is he hinting at a longer stay?

Does he really "Hart" New York? Or is he just Joshing? 

New York Knicks fans likely won't care, at least for the time being: they just know that trade deadline acquisition Josh Hart is back on the $12.9 player option for the 2023-24 season that came over from Portland. It's perhaps already destined to be one of the biggest surprises of the NBA offseason, especially after Hart strongly implied that he would reject the option early on. 

Hart, whose arrival helped the Knicks secure the fifth seed on the Eastern Conference playoff bracket and its first postseason series victory since 2013, has made his first public statement since news of his return broke, one that hints at anticipation for not only next season but the road beyond that.

NY is Home 🧡💙

— Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 30, 2023

"NY is Home," Hart declared on Twitter, capping his post off with blue and yellow emojis. That wouldn't be the first time that Hart referred to his new settings in that complementary manner, but could the timing of such a declaration hint that he'd like to extend his stay even longer? Promises of a long-term contract, after all, could be one of the reasons why he accepted the option despite playing above and beyond its price tag.

As one of the first New Yorkers off the bench in a 25-game cameo, Hart posted 10.2 points and seven rebounds while the Knicks went 17-8. Since then, Hart has welcomed twin sons alongside his wife Shannon and has been trying to lure college teammate and option decliner Donte DiVincenzo, who played with both Hart and Jalen Brunson at Villanova University. 

The former Trail Blazer's long-term prospects have yet to play out. But the immediate forecast calls for more love for New York from Hart. 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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