NBA

Josh Hart heading to NBA free agency with big Knicks hopes

Josh Hart’s expected decision to enter free agency appears set.

But it still doesn’t sound like he wants to go anywhere.

The popular Knicks wing has a $12.9 million player option for next season, but it’s anticipated that Hart will decline it and seek a more lucrative long-term deal on the open market.

He has until June 24 to officially make his decision.

“We’ll probably decline that and do the free-agency thing,” Hart said in an interview with Bleacher Report. “My first free agency, I was restricted and it was ass. I kind of actually cried a little bit. It took like three weeks to get it done. I’m like ‘Damn, do people want me in the league?’ I don’t think this free agency will go this way.”

The Knicks acquired Hart, 28, from the Blazers at the trade deadline as part of a four-team deal, parting with Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailuk and a protected first-round pick.

Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) warms up before game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals
Josh Hart plans to enter free agency, but spoke glowingly about his time with the Knicks. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The Knicks also acquired the draft rights to Bojan Dublijevic and Daniel Diez in the deal.

Hart, whose wife recently gave birth to twin boys, immediately made his mark in New York, and became a favorite among both fans and head coach Tom Thibodeau for his selfless attitude, dogged defending and relentless rebounding.

Hart elevated the Knicks, as they went 17-8 with him in the regular season and he played a pivotal role in the team’s first-round series win over the Cavaliers.

He averaged 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 25 regular-season games with the Knicks.

In the playoffs, he averaged 10.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals, although his perimeter shooting was a bit exposed in the second round against the Heat.

“I love New York. I love the team,” Hart said. “I love the coaching staff, the front office that we have. We got young guys, draft picks, all those sorts of things. Obviously, that would be an ideal place for me to just re-sign and do that.”

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and teammate New York Knicks guard Josh Hart high-five
Hart and Jalen Brunson have a history that goes back to their Villanova days. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

A former Villanova star, Hart is close friends with Jalen Brunson.

The pair won a national championship together as Wildcats.

Beyond Hart expressing his desire to return, which he did during the first round as well, Thibodeau has publicly stated he’d “love to have him back.”

“Everything is perfect,” Hart said. “On the court, off the court, with family being close to home, doing all those kinds of things. Fingers crossed, when free agency starts, a deal will get done hopefully in the first day or two. I would love for that to be home.”