The New York Knicks enter the 2026-27 NBA season with a handful of questions as the defending NBA champions. Aside from questions about replacing Mitchell Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns' extension talks, Josh Hart is dealing with his own contract situation.

Hart, who is entering his fifth year in a Knicks uniform, has cemented himself as an instrumental part of the team's core. The do-it-all swingman played a major role in New York's championship run, which is why he is hoping for a new contract extension since he owns a $22.4 million team option for the 2027-28 season.

Although the Knicks want to keep Hart long-term and he wants to remain a Knick for his entire career, the team definitely has some financial obstacles to try and get through, leading to the 31-year-old's pessimistic outlook on contract talks.

“Do I think it's going to get done? I mean, there hasn't really been much movement or conversation of that, so I don't think it will get done, but I would love it to get done,” Hart said at Knicks Media Day on Monday, via SNY Knicks. “I would love it to get done, because once the season starts, I'll probably have that mentality of, ‘I don't really want to deal with this. I want to try to focus on playing and the season.'

“I'm sure that will probably be a little extra weight to the jersey when you don't know the certainty of your situation. Obviously, it affects home life. There's certain things that you might want to do, but you're like, ‘I can't because I have no idea what the situation's gonna be in two months, three months, four months, in a year.' If I'm going to be here, if I'm not.

“We don't know. I'm a Knick. I would love to be a Knick. I love the city.”

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Hart did admit that the NBA is a business and he understands that part of these negotiations. With the regular season rapidly approaching, Hart is locked in on winning with the Knicks and doing his all to ensure that his team has the best chance to get back to the NBA Finals.

“For me, as long as I wear this jersey, I’m going to play as hard as I can for my guys and for the city, and hopefully we can figure it out.”

In 66 games during the 2025-26 season, Hart averaged 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor and 41.3 percent from 3-point range. His production extends far past his regular stats, as Hart has been the guy to sacrifice the most for the Knicks to increase the opportunities for others like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Between his charismatic personality that resonates with the team in the locker room and his contributions doing all the little things on the court, Hart is irreplaceable for the Knicks.

While a new deal before the start of the regular season seems unlikely for Hart, he is still holding out hope that at some point, a long-term contract extension can be reached.