Josh Hart remains undaunted in the face of his Knicks contract uncertainty

This cloud hovering over the Knicks was exactly what Josh Hart wanted to avoid. Now that a lack of a contract extension is his reality, though, he doesn’t have much choice other than to accept it. “Everything is gonna work out, so I’m not really too stressed over it, [or] put too much into it,” Hart said after practice Saturday.“Obviously, we have high expectations.

It’s good to be able to just focus on the season and keep it moving.” Hart spoke during media day about not wanting his negotiations with the Knicks over a contract extension “trickling into the season,” knowing that uncertainty could at times “wear people down and it can affect how you go out and handle business on a day-to-day basis.” Ideally, it all would have been handled before the season started. But the Knicks released a statement Friday that they were suspending all contract extension negotiations until later in the season as they navigate owner James Dolan’s mandate to stay out of the second apron.Karl-Anthony Towns’ displeasure over the current situation has gotten the most attention, but Hart — who is eligible for a four-year, $131.2 million extension — has detailed the potential negative ramifications a lack of clarity can have on the team.

Miles McBride is also eligible for an extension.All will now have to play with that uncertainty hanging over their heads. A day after the statement was released, Hart acknowledged that it will be something they have to deal with. “There will be days when you don’t think about it, days where you’re like, ‘Let’s hoop,’ and then other days where it’s top of the mind,” Hart said.

“We’re human, sometimes it’s difficult if you don’t know what your future is.Sometimes that’s tough, battling that, some days.

But some days, you’re not even worried about it.You just gotta focus on going out there and hooping.

Obviously, there’s a humanity side to it.Right now, I’m cool.

I’m focused on the se...