Josh Hart may still open next season as a starter for the Knicks, but his grip on that role could get a little looser once the 2026-27 training camp rolls around.
That’s the reality for a player who has become such a reliable part of New York’s identity. Hart is in the final guaranteed year of his four-year, $80 million contract, and he’s also dealing with a right ring finger injury that he says will stay with him the rest of his career.
“Some days, it’ll be good. Some days it’ll hurt to catch the ball,” Hart told Fred Katz of The Athletic.
“It varies. I wish I could tell you when I wake up, what’s gonna be good, what’s gonna be bad.
Some days it’s good, like a regular functioning finger; and other days, it hurts to just close my hand, to make a fist.”
Even with that in mind, Hart should still be in the starting mix when the regular season begins, unless injury or a major roster change alters the picture. But after the Knicks’ championship run, there’s at least a real chance his minutes and starts get managed more carefully. If New York wants him fresher for another spring run, the regular season could feature more strategic rest and a heavier lift from the rest of the roster.
That wouldn’t mean Hart suddenly stops being valuable. Across 66 games last season, he averaged 12 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting about 51% from the field and 41% from three. That’s the kind of do-it-all production Knicks fans have come to expect from the Villanova product, whose energy and versatility have made him a fixture in New York.
Still, the title run showed the Knicks have other options who can help fill that same space depending on matchup and need. Landry Shamet made a strong impression in the postseason, averaging about six points across 19 games while shooting around 45% from the floor and 38% from deep. He doesn’t bring Hart’s defense, but the Knicks have leaned into elite offense, and Shamet could make sense when New York needs a quick scoring jolt.
Jordan Clarkson also changed the way he fit into the rotation during his first season with the Knicks. Long known as a scorer, he found ways to impact the game at both ends, contributing on the offensive glass and holding up defensively while still keeping his scoring punch.
Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek and others could also find spots where their particular strengths matter, especially with the Eastern Conference described as greatly improved.
Hart remains a central piece of the Knicks’ title defense. The only question is whether the combination of workload, injury and depth behind him changes how often he’s in the starting five.
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Knicks Still Face One Roster Decision That Could Change Their Bench
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Browns experience and defensive versatility stand out as obvious selling points for a team looking to tighten up its second unit. There is also a path, at least in theory, for the Knicks to keep both if they work out a trade involving Pacme Dadiet and second-round draft picks before the season opener, which would give the front office a little more flexibility while leaving this final roster call unresolved. [Read more 🡒]