Knicks' Josh Hart Jokes He'll Request Trade If He Doesn't Start Under HC Mike Brown

New York Knicks wing Josh Hart offered a lighthearted response when asked about his potential role on the court during the 2025-26 NBA season.

Hart joked Tuesday he'll "probably ask for a trade" if new head coach Mike Brown doesn't keep him in the starting lineup. Getting more serious, he said he believes he's good enough to start but that he'll accept whatever role is best for the team:

The ninth-year veteran may have to come off the bench early on because he divulged he aggravated a finger injury and will probably play with a splint:

Hart is coming off his best season in the NBA. Last year, he averaged 13.6 points on 52.5 percent shooting along with 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals.

The 30-year-old continued to be effective in the playoffs as he put up 11.6 points and 8.8 boards per contest while shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc.

Unlike last summer, the Knicks didn't make any major changes to the roster in the aftermath of their surprising exit in the Eastern Conference Finals at the hands of Indiana Pacers. They fired Tom Thibodeau, but Mike Brown inherits mostly the same squad.

The front office is counting on continuity to go a long way in a wide-open East. Because of that, you'd expect Hart to remain one of the five regular starters.

Still, lineup alterations are always possible when a new coach comes in. Brown could offer different tactical ideas from Thibodeau, or he may conclude after a few weeks that reshuffling the rotation is necessary.

Hart made his preference known, but he's not afraid to sacrifice in pursuit of a collective goal.