Josh Hart turned 30.2 minutes a night into 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season, numbers that read more like a power forward's than a two-guard's. He's signed through 2027-28, and the only real question left is whether his hands hold up.
A Guard Who Boxes Out
Hart pulled down 7.4 rebounds a game last season, trailing only Karl-Anthony Towns on the roster, and his 12.3 rebound percentage is absurd for a six-foot-four guard. He did it without touching the ball much: a 16.3 usage rate, the lowest share among Knicks regulars, still produced a 61.2 true shooting mark. Low volume, high efficiency, work that shows up in winning before it shows up in a box score.
The Connective Tissue
Hart's 4.8 assists and 21.2 assist percentage came without him dominating possessions, proof he sees passes before he looks for his own shot. He hit 41.3 percent from three on 3.7 attempts, a number that carries more weight now that defenses respect him less off the catch. A 50.8 field goal percentage for a guard his size says he picks spots and cashes them.
The Finger Problem
The New York Post reported Hart detailed the gruesome reality of a damaged finger, the kind of detail that matters for a 31-year-old whose game lives on contact. He isn't on the injury report entering camp, but durability is the one line his stats can't explain away.
Paid, Not Panicking
Hart is locked in at $20.9 million this season and $22.4 million next, no extension drama attached to his name the way it is for others in that locker room. That security buys patience: New York doesn't need him scoring more, it needs him repeating what helped win a championship.
The Verdict
Hart doesn't need a bigger role this season. He needs the same one, for as many of 82 games as his body allows. The rebounding, the passing, the low-mistake shooting never made a highlight reel, but it was load-bearing. If the hands hold up, so does the formula.
How many rebounds did Josh Hart average last season?
Josh Hart averaged 7.4 rebounds per game last season, second on the Knicks only to Karl-Anthony Towns.
What is Josh Hart's contract with the Knicks?
Hart is under contract for $20.9 million in 2026-27 and $22.4 million in 2027-28, with no extension talks attached to the deal.
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