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Proj closer to -160

Hart has quietly become the most important lever the Knicks have in this series. When defenses put a wing on Karl-Anthony Towns and leave a big on Hart, which is exactly what the Hawks are doing, Hart is supposed to be the release valve. He screens for Brunson, dives to the rim, and creates a 4-on-3 the Knicks have barely tapped into. When a big guards KAT, the NYK score at a 134 offensive rating. When a wing gets the assignment, that number falls to 66. Having Hart initiate also takes pressure off Brunson and KAT by letting them play off-ball, where both are lethal. Quick swing passes become the entire offense, ball whips side to side, defenders rotate late, and the looks open up. He had 5 assists in Game 1 and 6 assists on 10 potentials in Game 2. If Brown actually staggers Brunson and Towns’ minutes like he publicly said he would, Hart becomes the bench connector, which naturally bumps his assists. If Brown adjusts within the starting lineup, Hart becomes the primary screener for Brunson, which creates short-roll playmaking reps he’s genuinely good at. Either path gets him there, and the line is too low for the role he’s about to take on. #PlayerProps