Knicks' Josh Hart says he isn't concerned about club's decision to halt contract extension talks
The Knicks' Josh Hart practices shooting with his team during Day 2 of training camp on Sept. 29, 2026 in Tarrytown. Credit: Dawn McCormick
GREENBURGH — The Knicks dropped a bombshell on Friday, announcing that they were cutting off all contract talks with players ahead of the Oct. 20 season opener. That means no extensions will be forged with Karl-Anthony Towns or Josh Hart in the near future.
“They said that?” Hart said after practice on Saturday.
Then he smiled.
Hart knows what’s going on. It’s business, and the Knicks have decided they will not be in the business right now of handing out extensions, even to two main members of the defending NBA championship squad.
“As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of,” a Knicks spokesperson said in a statement on Friday. “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.”
Towns, 30, has a player option for $61 million for 2027-28 but can opt out at the end of this season and become an unrestricted free agent. When asked about the state of negotiations on Monday, he said, “It don’t look good.” He is eligible for a four-year, $276 million extension; the Knicks reportedly are offering four years and $200 million.
Hart, 31, is making $20.9 million this season and has a team option for $22.3 million in 2027-28. He also is eligible for an extension, but that will have to wait.
“Everything’s going to work out,” he said. “I mean, I’m not really too stressed over it to put too much into it. Obviously, we have high expectations. So it’s good we’re able to just focus on the season and keep it moving.”
Towns’ thoughts on the Knicks’ statement are unknown because he was not made available to the media on Saturday. It was left to Hart to talk about the ramifications, if any, of taking this uncertainty into the season.
“There probably will be days where you don’t think about it,” he said. “And then other days where it’s top of the mind. We’re human.
“Sometimes it’s difficult if you don’t know what your future is. Sometimes that’s tough battling that [on] some days. For some days, you’re not even worried about it. Just focus on going out there, hoops and stuff. Obviously, there’s a humanity side to it, but right now I’m cool. I’m focused on the season.”
To be clear, Hart added: “At the end of the day, I’m under contract in New York. We have a hell of a team that’s going to try and repeat and I’m in an amazing situation off the court. So it’s not frustrating.
“Obviously, you want to get some of those things done, but if it doesn’t, it’s nothing where you lose sleep over. We’re blessed to be able to be out here playing basketball for a living, so you know it’s not frustrating.
“We just got to make sure we’re able to block out the noise and whatever rumors that whoever random person says their sources said, et cetera, on Twitter or whatever you want to say. Got to block that out and keep it moving.”
Knicks captain Jalen Brunson, who took less money to facilitate the Knicks’ moves to build a championship roster, said he is not concerned about Hart, his locker room buddy and podcast pal.
“He’s going to be professional,” Brunson said. “Not just him. Everybody. Everyone’s going to be professional and continue to do their jobs. No matter what the situation is, things are going to happen.
“There’s always going to be a roller coaster of a season, ups and downs emotionally or whatever. But no matter what, when we’re out there on the court, we’re going to have each other’s back regardless.”
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
