Josh Hart Demands Adam Silver’s Investigation on Thunder’s Alleged $17 Million Bait to Steal 26YO Ex-Knicks Star

Josh Hart is never really lacking in the humor department. The Knicks guard is always ready with a comical response or two. And the latest of them was directed at his ex-New York teammate, Isaiah Hartenstein. One of the top picks in the free agency this year, Hartenstein decided to take leave of NYC and move to Oklahoma for a three-year $87 million deal.

The Knicks were, unfortunately, limited by the salary cap and splurge on Mikal Bridges. Hence, the most they could offer the German center was four years and $72.5 million. The 26-year-old, who played in 75 games last season and averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, as he stepped in for the injured Mitchell Robinson, though, believed it best to join the Thunder.

Hilariously enough, Hart has been trolling No. 55 since then. And in the latest among them was the former Villanova product’s X tweet. Josh had a special request for the NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, with regard to an alleged rumor involving Oklahoma City and Hartenstein. “The Thunder told Zay they will get him this… investigate @NBA“

‘This’ is a $17.25 million dream mansion that holds pretty much everything from a fully stocked pond, koi pond, golf driving balcony to an outside barn, multiple bars, dance floor, oversized garage, and of course, an indoor and outdoor basketball court. And as per Hart, the OKC has allegedly promised this gem to ‘Zay’.

Of course, if Josh Hart didn’t comment on this, he wouldn’t be Josh Hart. The man has been on Hartenstein’s back ever since he left the New York Knicks for the Thunder.

When Josh Hart penned an amusingly dramatic adieu to Hartenstein on X

“You are dead to me Zay. I never liked you anyways. But congrats on the bag!” This was Hart’s farewell message for his former teammate. Obviously meant as a joke, it speaks to the relationship the pair shared during Isaiah’s two-year stint in New York. But if you thought Josh was the only one who trolled the 7-footer, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Joining Hart was his fellow teammate from college, and the league was Jalen Brunson. In an earlier episode of their Roommates Show podcast this month, No. 3 echoed his tweet. Brunson, for his part, recounted the text Hartenstein had sent him. “He texted me, he was like, ‘Yo bro, appreciate everything killa.’ I was like, ‘Who’s this?’” 

Leave it to the Villanova boys to keep at the trolling. It certainly was a loss for the ‘Big Apple,’ but then again, free agency tends to do that. However, the upcoming matchup between NYC and OKC will be one to look out for.

So, what do you make of this latest tweet from Josh Hart? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

 Before you go, though, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe. Don’t forget to check back in for more such updates from our ES Fancast!