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New York Knicks forward Josh Hart has always had a strange fit in the Knicks’ starting lineup, and the high-energy forward is now acknowledging that.
Hart was asked by reporters on Tuesday about the possibility of him no longer being in the starting lineup under head coach Mike Brown. In typical Josh Hart fashion, he cracked a joke as to how he’d respond if he isn’t starting.
“If I don't start, I'll probably ask for a trade,” Hart joked.
Hart enjoyed best NBA season of his career last year, despite unconventional fit
Hart appeared in — and started — 77 games last season for the Knicks. He averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 assists and 9.6 rebounds per game, and recorded nine triple-doubles which is a new single-season franchise record.
Despite that, his fit with the starting lineup appeared wonky at times due to a lack of spacing and size. Nonetheless, Hart feels he’s earned the right of being a starter in the NBA.
“I had the best year of my career last year, but that's in the past,” Hart said. “I think I'm a starter in the league, I think I deserve to be a starter in the league. But at the end of the day, it's about what's best for the team. Last year, I talked about sacrifice the whole time and being a good steward of my gifts and those kind of things.”
Whether or not Hart gets a spot in the starting lineup, he’ll serve as one of the key figures for a Knicks team that has championship aspirations in 2026.
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