Josh Hart is in his feelings about the NBA’s Eastern Conference free agency frenzy. And honestly? So is everyone else.
The Knicks forward took to X on Wednesday night to sum up what most fans are thinking as multiple teams reshuffled the deck in the East. His post was short and to the point.
The East offseason is crazy.
Hart wasn’t just venting for no reason. The Celtics and 76ers pulled off a stunner that sent Jaylen Brown to Philly for Paul George and a pile of draft picks. That deal alone would’ve been enough to make headlines for weeks. But there was more.
Miami and Milwaukee also swung a monster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat. Just like that, the balance of power in the East got flipped on its head. Milwaukee loses its franchise guy. Miami gets a two-time MVP. And suddenly the road back to the Finals for New York looks a lot heavier.
The Knicks Lost a Couple Guys Too
Wednesday wasn’t all about other teams. New York saw two of its role players leave. Mitchell Robinson is headed to Boston on a new deal. Ariel Hukporti is signing a one-year contract with the 76ers. Neither departure was a surprise, but they still create holes in the Knicks’ depth chart.
The Knicks are coming off a championship season where they bulldozed through the Eastern Conference playoffs and beat the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals. Hart, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby are all back. So the core is intact. But the competition around them clearly got tougher.
Philly and Miami Aren’t Going Away
The 76ers now roll out a lineup with Brown alongside Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and rookie VJ Edgecombe. That’s a legit contender. And Philly has a score to settle after New York swept them in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. That series ended in four games. The 76ers haven’t forgotten.
Miami with Giannis is a whole different problem too. The Heat were already annoying to play against. Now they’ve got a top-three player in the league.
Hart and the Knicks will enter next season as the defending champs. They’ve earned that respect. But the gap might be closing fast. And there’s still time this offseason for another surprise to drop. If it does, Hart will probably have something to say about it. Again.
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