Overview
- Multiple outlets report that The Athletic’s Thursday story, citing anonymous league sources, projects a three‑year extension for Hart in the $54 million to $62 million range with many outlets narrowing that to about $60M.
- Hart is eligible for a four‑year maximum extension worth up to $132 million but reporting shows the team and player are likely to favor a shorter, lower‑risk agreement.
- Hart publicly reacted to the coverage with a joking social‑media reply but neither the player nor the Knicks have confirmed terms and no formal deal has been announced.
- The push for a shorter deal is driven by New York’s payroll constraints and a desire to avoid the NBA’s second luxury‑tax apron as other core players approach costly contracts.
- Hart, 31, averaged roughly 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the 2025–26 season and a three‑year deal would give him more security while leaving the Knicks flexibility to protect their championship core.