Knicks pause Hart extension talks; guard eligible for up to $132M over four years
The New York Knicks will not negotiate contract extensions, including one for Josh Hart, until later in the 2026-27 season, the team said in a statement. Hart is eligible for an extension worth up to four years and approximately $132 million, headtopics reported; no offer from the team or ask from Hart's camp has been reported.
"As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of," the statement read. "As a result, we will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season."
The Knicks are suspending the talks while attempting to avoid the second apron, Jared Schwartz of the New York Post reported. Karl-Anthony Towns and Miles McBride are also eligible for extensions, according to the Post.
"At the end of the day, I'm still under contract in New York. We have a hell of a team that's going to try to repeat. I'm in an amazing situation off the court. It's not frustrating," Hart said, according to The Sporting News.
"Everything is gonna work out, so I'm not really too stressed," Hart said, according to Bleacher Report, adding, "Right now, I'm cool. I'm focused on the season."
Jalen Brunson addressed Hart's situation Saturday. "He's gonna be a professional," Brunson said, according to Bleacher Report.
Hart is playing on the existing four-year deal he signed with the Knicks in 2023, which headtopics reported at $80.9 million with $58.5 million guaranteed and an average of about $20.2 million a year. The Sporting News put the total at $81 million.
The deal includes a team option for 2027-28 that headtopics put at roughly $22.4 million and the New York Post put at $22.3 million.
The Knicks open as reigning champions after their first title since the 1972-73 season, and the title defense begins Oct. 20 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Bleacher Report reported.
Hart's $19.5 million salary last season ranked 87th of the 435 rated players, per WAGE. His production, a season total earned in 66 games, ranked 54th.
The production ran ahead of where the salary sat on the pay scale, for a WAGE Score of 76 in 2025-26, in the Smart Money tier. Across nine rated seasons since 2017-18, his career WAGE Score is 71.
Whether the team will exercise the 2027-28 option has not been reported.