Josh Hart, New York Knicks
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New York Knicks star Josh Hart
The New York Knicks are going to be one of the top teams to watch leading up to the NBA trade deadline on February 5.
Over the last few weeks, the rumors surrounding the team have grown louder. Karl-Anthony Towns has become a name to watch as a potential trade candidate. Giannis Antetokounmpo seems like a potential target for the Knicks.
Even if New York decides against making a blockbuster trade, improvements are needed. So far this season, the Knicks haven’t come close to living up to the hype that they came into the year with. Something needs to change.
While no one knows what New York is going to do, rumors can take a toll on a team mentally. Keeping that in mind, Josh Hart opened up about the rumor mill.
Josh Hart Gets Honest Amid Swirling New York Knicks Rumors
As shared by Knicks Videos on X, Hart didn’t hold back his opinion of the rumors.
“This is my ninth year in the league. I think I’ve dealt with trade rumors for eight of them. I think the only time I didn’t might have been last year when I signed that extension. I literally couldn’t get traded until after the deadline,” Hart said.
“It’s a part of the game. It’s part of being in New York. At times, it can get frustrating and overbearing, but that’s why you don’t really put anything into it because 99% of stuff doesn’t even materialize.”
Hart is 100 percent correct. There is nothing that should be taken seriously when it comes to rumors. Players are always going to hear their names mentioned in the media.
It’s very possible that the Knicks could choose to make a move. The roster might look different in a couple of weeks. However, until that actually happens, there is no reason to worry about the rumor mill.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ Relationship with Knicks Is in Danger
According to Newsday’s Steve Popper, the rumors have caused issues with star big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
“If you saw Towns after Wednesday night’s game — or really, if you’ve seen him at all this season — you know that hearing his name in trade talks has come at a cost,” Popper wrote. “Feelings are hurt. Egos are bruised. And maybe trust is gone.”
This isn’t the first time a relationship has been damaged by the rumor mill. At the end of the day, the rumors can have a negative impact on a player if they’re listened to. Towns and New York could be facing an awkward situation together moving forward.
Right now, the Knicks hold a 30-18 record. That has them ranked No. 2 in the Eastern Conference standings.
The last thing the team can deal with is drama stemming from trade rumors. New York will need to figure out how to repair damages or move on from players before those feelings spill over into the locker room.
Expect to continue hearing rumors surrounding the Knicks. They’re only going to get louder as the deadline comes closer, but Hart’s advice is for players to tune out the noise.