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Expectations following a franchise’s first championship in 53 years are bound to be through the roof, and those largely responsible for making such a historic mark will be under a microscope as the team looks to repeat.
This will be especially true of New York Knicks spark plug Josh Hart, who is currently in the final guaranteed year of his four-year, $80 million contract. Additionally, the 31-year-old is dealing with a right ring finger injury that will force him to play through pain for 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.”
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Barring an injury or major roster shakeup, Hart will likely reprise his starting role with the Knicks once the regular season begins. While the trusty veteran may not lose his signature grit that has made him a New York icon, it is fair to speculate whether or not he will lose starts or minutes as the squad attempts to make a second straight championship run.
While Hart’s productivity may not dip due to a long postseason run or his ailment, it is possible that he will receive fewer starts and minutes this season in an attempt to ensure he’s fully rested for a spring title defense. The Knicks’ supporting cast could be utilized more during the upcoming regular season, and their skill sets may make it easier to have Hart sit when needed.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown will have proven options at his disposal
Across 66 games last season, Hart averaged 12 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting roughly 51% from the field and 41% from range. These marks are exactly what fans and pundits have come to expect from the Villanova product. Put simply, the Maryland native can do a little bit of everything and plays with an intensity that few could match.
In previous years, this truth has made Hart all but impossible to remove from games. But New York’s title run revealed at least two returning individuals who could provide a similar level of productivity, or even be a better fit depending on what a game calls for.
Landry Shamet impressed last spring. Across 19 postseason contests, the 29-year-old averaged roughly six points while shooting around 45% from the field and 38% from behind the arc. While he is not as defensively sound as Hart, the Brown-led Knicks have shown that they are a bunch that prides itself on elite offense. It is possible that Hart could be swapped for Shamet in instances where the team needs more instant firepower.
Additionally, veteran guard Jordan Clarkson experienced an interesting identity shift in his first season with the Knicks. Known primarily as a scorer, the Florida native ended up being a player who made his presence felt on both ends of the court. He grabbed timely offensive boards and held his own defensively, all while remaining a threat to score.
Beyond Shamet and Clarkson, Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek, and others could have moments where their strengths will be needed to help the team win games and stay competitive in a greatly improved Eastern Conference.
Hart will undoubtedly remain a critical part of the Knicks’ title defense, but his role may be somewhat different given his past workload and the emergence of key role players.
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