What happened: Josh Hart admitted that playing without long-term security can be occasionally difficult to navigate. He noted that while he typically focuses on basketball, his unresolved status does weigh on him on certain days.

Why it matters: New York paused negotiations with its core roster to limit distractions during the preseason. Finding a team-friendly agreement would help the franchise manage its proximity to the burdensome second salary apron.

What to watch: The organization is not expected to resume discussions until later in the regular season.