Josh Hart isn’t leaving much room for doubt about where he wants his next chapter to play out.
In a recent conversation with Yahoo Sports’ Caroline Fenton, the Knicks wing said he "absolutely" wants to stay in New York for the long haul and even hopes to retire with the team. Hart put it plainly: "I've always said New York is a home to me, and they've given me some of my best years of my career. It's definitely a place I want to stay at,"
That kind of loyalty fits the way Hart has settled into the franchise since arriving in the Big Apple in February of 2023. He’s become one of the defining pieces of the Knicks core, both for the energy he brings away from the court and for the all-around production he supplies on it. His presence has made him a favorite with the fanbase and a key part of the club’s historic 2026 title run.
Still, wanting to stay and actually staying on the same terms are two different things. Hart is extension-eligible, with a new contract worth as much as $132 million over four years. But the financial reality around the roster makes that kind of number look unlikely for New York.
The challenge comes from the new CBA and the money already committed to other players on the team. That’s why James L. Edwards III of The Athletic floated a “sweet spot” deal in the range of $60-62 million total as the most realistic path to keeping Hart in place.
That would be a major drop from the maximum Hart can sign for, and it would also come in about $20 million below what he’s currently making. Even so, the Knicks have already shown examples of players accepting less for the bigger picture. Jalen Brunson gave up $113 million in the summer of 2024, and Landry Shamet recently chose to take less than market value to return this offseason.
Hart’s message was clear: he wants to remain a Knick. The question now is whether both sides can make the numbers work.
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