New York Knicks goalkeeper Josh Hart was absent from Team America’s overwhelming win over Puerto Rico on Monday – and for good reason. Villanova’s former swinger remains at the Big Apple with a four-year, $81 million extension.
Hart was the Swiss Army Knife for the first six years of his career. After being placed 30th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers (acquired in a night draft transaction), he was a key player in the rotation as the team continued to develop young talent, even after signing with LeBron James in 2018. Hart was included in Anthony’s squad. Davis traded and he went on to play a pivotal role for the New Orleans Pelicans. During the 2019-20 season, Hart averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and one steal per game for the Pelicans—his first with a double-digit scoring average
Eventually, Hart began to show more growth and potential as his role and responsibility increased. A midseason trade from New Orleans brought him to the Portland Trail Blazers—where he averaged a career-best 19.9 points per game on 50/37/77 splits in 2022. Not to mention, he started all 13 games in “Rip City” while they moved on from CJ McCollum. Afterwards, the Blazers sent him to the Knicks in a four-team trade at last year’s deadline. Despite his delegation back to the bench, Hart still provides a major boost to the orange and blue. In 25 games, he averaged 10.2 points with 58% of shots from the field and 51% with three shots. Hart also reunited with former Villanova teammate Jalen Brunson.
What Hart’s new deal means for the Knicks
The Knicks made the right decision to keep Josh Hart for the next few years. Between playing for young rebuilders and young contenders, he excelled in every situation. Hart had a season-high 27 points when the Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets in February. He also scored a brace in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in December. He scored 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Hart provided an important momentum from both sides for the Knicks. He has an offensive stat of 136 and a defensive stat of 112 with them during the regular season. Hart also won 12.9% of the team’s bounces and provided 16% of their assists, as well as a remarkably effective shot rate of 70%. Additionally, Hart played a key role in helping the Knicks make a splash in the East, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games and winning their first playoff series in a decade, when they beat the Boston Celtics in six games in 2013. Hart This fits perfectly into New York’s future plans, playing in a solid reserve group that includes Immanuel Quickley, Donte DiVincenzo (another former Wildcat) and Isaiah Hartenstein.
This extension seems to be the last piece of the puzzle for New York. Hart will be back playing with Team USA and the Knicks will be preparing for training camp in September.
The Last Words About Josh Hart
In just a few short months, Hart has won over Knicks fans with his versatility and dedication to the franchise. It was clear that Josh would play a key role in their success over the next few years, and he had already achieved his goal of establishing himself in New York.
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