Feb 11, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Knicks News: Josh Hart’s main hope, Julius Randle’s changed perspective
After making a major splash in free agency last year by signing Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks could ink Brunson’s Villanova teammate to a new deal over the summer.
New York traded for Josh Hart a few weeks ago and he has a player option for the 2023-24 season that he’s expected to opt out of for a new contract. While fans have already fallen in love with Hart, some have wondered why the Knicks traded for a player that could sign with a new team over the summer. However, while that is a possibility, it’s a situation that the front office and Hart have already considered.
Hart isn’t planning to leave New York during the offseason. In fact, he’s hoping to make the city his home.
“That’s something I definitely want to do,” Hart, acquired at the trade deadline from the Trail Blazers, said on Thursday after practice. “I want a home. I want to find a home. This is a place where I would love that home to be. On the court, there are so many things that align with my principles as a player and off the court just being around with friends and close to family. This would be an amazing spot. Hopefully they feel the same.“It’s a perfect situation for me on and off the court.”
He’s off to a hot start in what will hopefully result in a number of successful seasons in New York.
Speaking of hot starts, Julius Randle started the season off hot and hasn’t cooled down yet. He earned his second All-Star nod after many fans had already given up on him after his 2021-22 season that ended up turning into a disaster.
During All-Star weekend, Randle was interviewed by Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer and he talked about what changed for him this season.
“I just had to get my peace and joy back,” he said. “I just had to get my perspective back on the game and life in general. But it was also something that I learned a lot about myself as well.”
It started last summer when he took a look inward and prioritized his life outside of basketball.
“I just had to get away. Get away from the game a little bit. Travel the world. Spend time, reconnect with my family, my kids,” he said. “Just re-evaluate Julius Randle the person. I can’t be a great basketball player if I’m not balanced as a person.”
It’s good to see Randle not only leading the Knicks to wins again but enjoying himself while doing so.
More Knicks news
- The Knicks signed Trevor Keels, who is on a two-way contract, to a 10-day contract on Thursday. After spending the majority of the season thus far in Westchester, he’s now on the Knicks’ active roster.
- According to Chris Haynes, the Suns are “monitoring” Derrick Rose’s situation with New York. So far, there’s been no indication that a buyout will happen.
- The Knicks are reportedly looking for a jersey patch deal that’s worth $30 million annually.
NBA news
- Portland’s flight to Sacramento was delayed on Wednesday night because of a snowstorm, which prompted Damian Lillard to post a video on Instagram of him freestyling.
- Joel Embiid’s block on Ja Morant has been labeled as a ‘block of the year candidate’ after Philadelphia beat Memphis on Thursday, 110-105.
- According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Rockets are optimistic that James Harden will leave Philadelphia for Houston in the offseason.
- Per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Brian Windhorst, center isn’t Victor Wembanyama’s preferred position. The 19-year-old is expected to go No. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.
