Knicks legend says team needs Josh Hart

After a surprising playoff run, the Knicks are in the midst of one of their most important offseasons in recent memory. What they decide to do (or not do) in the next few months could have ramifications for years to come. 

In addition to what may be a lot of cap space for this season, the team owns numerous picks in the next several drafts, which is why they need to make smart choices.

“Smart,” however, isn’t a word typically associated with the Knicks, especially over the last couple of decades.

Right now, most fans are probably holding their breaths waiting for the team to do something foolish (Paul George, anyone?), and things are especially precarious because they basically just fired their GM. 

And if this means that team owner/cable magnate/guitar player in a sad-dad rock band James Dolan is making all the decisions, Knicks fans may soon be disappointed again.

Which brings us to Josh Hart.

One of the best in-season moves the Knicks have made in several seasons was the addition of Hart before last year’s trade deadline. The team was a mediocre 30-27 at that point, and once Hart was inserted into the lineup, they immediately rattled off nine-straight wins. 

After the trade, the Knicks went 17-8 and won their first playoff series in 10 years, and Hart was a big reason for this.  

During the 25 regular season games he played, Hart averaged 10.2 points, seven rebounds, and 3.6 assists. While these numbers may not jump off the screen, it’s the little things he did — the hustle and effort plays — that ended up having a huge influence on games.

It comes as little surprise then that Charles Oakley, the epitome of hustle, is an admirer of Hart. During his 10 years as a Knick, Oakley enamored himself with fans with his toughness and willingness to do things like dive into the crowd to save a loose ball. And because he seems to recognize Hart as kind of a kindred spirit, he believes that the Knicks would be making a big mistake if they don’t bring him back.

“If they don’t re-sign him, they’d be a .500 team next year,” he said in a LetsTalkKnicks podcast.

Oakley also thinks that the Knicks need to pay him, and pay him well.

“He’s worth at least $25 [million], I don’t care what they say. It’s what he brings to the table. It’s not about the money. Look at some of these guys making $30, $40 million, they don’t deserve it. He’s making plays, like charges, loose balls, second shots … He’s putting his body on the line. A lot of those guys don’t put their bodies on the line every night.”

Which brings us back to James Dolan.

It’s pretty well known that Oakley is not one of Dolan’s favorite people, and in fact, the former Knick is suing Madison Square Garden for an ugly incident that happened in 2017. Does this mean that because of Oakley’s endorsement, Dolan will let a valuable player depart?

The Knicks — and Hart — have until midnight on Thursday to decide.