Knicks News & Rumor Roundup

Let’s catch up on the latest Knicks news, rumors and summertime happenings…

🏀 Josh Hart’s Extension Question

We’ve devoted plenty of time and digital ink this summer to the possibility of a Karl-Anthony Towns extension, but KAT isn’t the only Knicks starter eligible to re-up with the franchise.

​Hart became extension-eligible earlier this month, and it’s safe to assume the two sides would like to reach a resolution at some point.

​Hart is often referred to as the heart of the Knicks, and not just because it’s pun-ny. The Swiss-army Knicks forward is an invaluable contributor on a title team. Sure, his ability to stuff the stat sheet is impressive. In 2025-26, Hart became just the seventh player in NBA history to average more than seven rebounds and four assists per game while shooting better than 50% from the floor and 40% from three.

​But it’s the little things that don’t show up in the box score that make Hart so valuable: boxing out, communicating on defense, pushing the ball in transition, making the extra effort play. Those are the things that win basketball games—and make him an absolute folk hero among Knicks fans.

​His physical style, toughness and determination embody New York basketball. He plays heavy minutes, guards multiple positions and routinely prioritizes winning over personal statistics.

​Then there’s his importance in the locker room as a team leader. (And let’s not pretend his status as Jalen Brunson’s BFF is completely irrelevant, either.)

​It doesn’t take a genius to recognize that Hart would love to spend the rest of his career in New York. And the Knicks front office would prefer he continues wearing the orange and blue as well.

​However, Leon Rose and company have proven they can separate emotion from economics.

​Here are the actual/factuals:

Hart will earn $20.9 million during the upcoming 2026-27 season. The following year, the Knicks hold a team option for 2027-28 that would pay Hart $22.4 million if exercised.

​As of August 10th, he is now eligible to sign a contract extension worth up to $132 million over four years. And as much as the front office values him, they aren’t going anywhere near that number. Paying him north of $35 million in his age-35 season doesn’t make a lot of sense. Not with Brunson already having sacrificed substantial salary and due for a major raise, KAT’s extension looming, Bridges and OG locked into lucrative long-term contracts, and the Sword of Damocles that is the second apron hanging over everything.

So the real question isn’t whether Hart will get an extension.

It’s where the two sides find common ground.

​James L. Edwards III of The Athletic wrote last week that he spoke with a league source who suggested a three-year extension worth “somewhere between $54 and $62 million” would be a “happy medium for both sides.”