Josh Hart would see himself well at the Knicks in the long run

Josh Hart would he have found his shoe in New York? At 28, the fullback/winger quickly felt at home at the Knicks and could see himself settling there for the long haul.

On the one hand, everything is going well on the field, and at the extra-sporting level, the fact that he will soon be the father of twins has also weighed in his position, his wife also being delighted to have seen her husband move from Portland , on the other side of the country, in New York, the couple being originally from Maryland.

“Portland was good, but it was so far away and I’m not from the West Coast. It was hard. Not for me, but especially for my wife, who doesn’t like flying very much”he explained. “So the fact that I’m gone but I’m close to home, that’s great. I was like crazy thinking about this trade. I called my wife first. She was very enthusiastic. She freaked out a little because she had a doctor in Portland. But once everything was settled, she was over the moon.

The playoffs first, then the house?

After having wandered a lot in the NBA, Josh Hart would therefore like to settle down for a few years, and New York therefore represents the perfect compromise, at all levels.

“This is my sixth year in the league, my fourth team, my sixth coach. I was traded three times. It was a real whirlwind. It’s not quite how I thought my first six years would turn out, but I want to find a home.”, he added. “It’s about finding a ‘home’ where we are appreciated and where we really like to live. And I think it may be New York. I wish it was New York and I hope the organization feels the same way. I hope this contract will be the most important, that it will allow me to ensure that my family is well taken care of. So I have to take that into account as well.”

Before embarking on the real estate search, Josh Hart will indeed have to discuss with the Knicks how the two parties could extend their collaboration.

For the moment, the player has “only” a “player option” at just under $13 million for next season. There is therefore a good chance that he will refuse her to sign a lease for several seasons.

But before that, there is an end to the season to negotiate well with the playoffs in sight, the Knicks having not passed a round in the postseason for ten years. Where some may have been paralyzed under the pressure of the New York context, Josh Hart, on the contrary, seems galvanized by this unique atmosphere.

“It’s clear that being able to dress in blue and orange and in this atmosphere, the atmosphere is different. It gives you more energy and you feed off the crowd. They’re fantastic and it’s my favorite place to play. I can’t imagine what MSG will be in the playoffs. Of course, I hope we get there and bring home the playoffs. The league is better when the Knicks are good, and we can have playoffs at MSG. It’s just different.”