The Knicks and Leon Rose have plenty of decisions to make this offseason, including with their own free agents such as OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein, as well as a potential extension for Jalen Brunson.
And he’ll be keeping an eye on what the team does now that the season is over.
While they don’t have much cap space, the Knicks will be looking for players in the trade market and they have draft capital if they choose to make a move.
“If I have to be on the phone with someone, I’ll be there,” Hart said of recruiting free agents or trade targets.
It remains to be seen if the Cavaliers decide to move Donovan Mitchell, who is eligible for a four-year contract extension this summer.
Should Cleveland choose to move him, Hart could be of use, since he and Mitchell are close after being part of the same draft class and have spent large portions of their offseasons training in Miami.
And while Tom Thibodeau still has a year left on his five-year deal, the topic of a new deal for the head coach will be a significant one this summer.
Hart made it clear he wants Thibodeau around for a long time.
Asked if he hoped Thibodeau gets a new contract soon, Hart said, “He deserves it. He’s someone that works extremely hard and he prepares us. He makes sure we have the right mindset. But it’s not in my hands.”
Earlier this week, Thibodeau said about his contract status: “That’s something that my agent will take care of. The Knicks have been great to me. So this is where I want to be.”
Hart, speaking at BTIG Charity Day at the firm’s office in midtown, credited what the team did this season en route to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“We’ve built a good foundation and now we can continue to take steps forward,” Hart said. “I think what we showed this year is that we’ve got what it takes to be a successful team, one that can make runs [in the playoffs].”
The most recent one ended with disappointment, in large part because of the injuries that decimated the lineup. Still, Hart was pleased with his first full year with the team.
“It’s been amazing,” Hart said. “New York really embraced the team and myself. It’s an exciting time for the Knicks and New York.”
