NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The New York Knicks will look at their roster and decide what to do with Julius Randle. However, the elephant in the room is what to do with Josh Hart? Do the Knicks make him a starter or send him back to the bench? When Randle went down, Tom Thibodeau leaned on Hart for production but had no idea how much Hart would mean to the run the Knicks went on. And during the playoffs, Josh Hart took his game to another level.
Now, entering this offseason, the rumors of the Knicks looking to make a major move could have consequences they may not be able to recover from if a title is their goal.
If the Knicks decide to trade Randle that will open up a spot for Josh Hart in the starting rotation. For all Knicks fans, that should be a welcomed sight after what he did in the playoffs. However, despite Hart playing out of his mind, the Knicks faltered because they didn’t have enough depth.
Trading Randle will without a doubt provide the Knicks with bodies but are those bodies capable of carrying the load when games are tight? Also, there is a good chance the Knicks could lose another valuable member of their success in Isaiah Hartenstein who is rumored to be in line for a huge payday this offseason. Then you take into account that OG Anunoby has said he will test the market. If he leaves they will have no choice but to keep Randle who is also in line for an extension.
That leaves Josh Hart still with a possible starting spot but it also leaves the New York Knicks with a smaller lineup and shorter bench. Can the Knicks count on the likes of Miles McBride, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Precious Achiuwa?
Should The Knicks Start Josh Hart
Can Thibs put Hart back on the second unit after seeing what he can do as a starter? Another huge question is, will Hart be willing to accept a lesser role after what he proved he could do if given the opportunity? Hart and Jalen Brunson are tight off the court, would Hart hold any resentment towards the team if asked to step back?
Last season, in 25 games with the Knicks after coming over from a trade, Hart averaged 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting .586 percent from the floor. This past season, Hart’s numbers were relatively the same but it was during that run where everything came together. During the playoffs, Hart took things up a notch. Not known as a three-point shooter, Hart provided offense for the Knicks beyond the arc. The rebounding was always there but it was his defense that provided a spark. And while Brunson was the leader, Hart was the heartbeat of this squad.
If things go smoothly for the New York Knicks this offseason, their starting lineup could look like this. Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Anunoby, Randle, and Mitchell Robinson. That’s a strong unit but the bench needs work. Removing Josh Hart from that second unit means that McBride, Bogdanovic, and Achiuwa will have to produce at a higher rate.
McBride can score but he’s not the defender and rebounder that Hart is. Achiuwa is a good rebounder and defensive player but doesn’t offer much scoring-wise. Bogdanovic can put the ball in the hoop but he lacks on the defensive end. Hart is too important no matter where he plays.
This offseason the Knicks have major decisions to make and it’s not about adding Paul George, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, or Donovan Mitchell. Their first order of business is finding a way to take care of home. And it doesn’t start with Randle, it starts with Josh Hart. Once they figure out where they want to play him, everything else will fall into place.
