Josh Hart Addresses Potential Role Change For The Knicks This Season
Sep 23, 2025
The New York Knicks came one series short of the NBA Finals in 2025, and heading into the new season, they're more confident than ever. That comes after the team added Guerschon Yabusele, Jordan Clarkson, and Malcolm Brogdon in free agency, creating one of the deepest lineups in the entire NBA.
Under new Head Coach Mike Brown, there are expected to be some changes to the Knicks' lineup—especially if they are to find the balance to lead them to the top spot in the Eastern Conference. One player who may face a major change is Josh Hart, and when he addressed the possibility of being benched recently, he opened with a joke. "If I don't start, I'll probably ask for a trade."
"If I don't start, I'll probably ask for a trade."
However, he made it clear that he was kidding, going on to address the possibility of sacrificing his role, something he preached about last season.
"I had the best year of my career last year, but that's in the past. I think I'm a starter in the league, I think I deserve to be a starter in the league.
But at the end of the day, it's about what's best for the team. Last year, I talked about sacrifice the whole time and being a good steward of my gifts and those kind of things.
It would be extremely selfish for me to go out there and demand to start. Whatever Mike [Brown] wants to do, or doesn't want to do, I'm cool with."
For some Knicks fans, the possibility of Hart starting on the bench is the best way forward for the team, especially if they'll roll with a backcourt of Brogdon and Clarkson to lead their second unit. Ultimately, with a long regular season ahead, there's time for Brown to make some adjustments to this starting lineup, and if Hart's comments are anything to go by, the team is ready to be flexible ahead of a title-contending season.
