Knicks Lose Isaiah Hartenstein to Thunder in Free Agency
Knicks Lose Isaiah Hartenstein to Thunder in Free Agency
The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed center Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $87 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Hartenstein, 26, was a key player for the New York Knicks last season, averaging 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 64.4 percent from the field. He was also one of three players in the NBA with at least 85 blocks and 85 steals.
The Knicks wanted to keep Hartenstein, but they only had his early bird rights. The most New York could offer was $72.5 million over four years, which was not enough to match Oklahoma City’s offer.
The Thunder were in need of a big man after trading away Derrick Favors and Mike Muscala earlier this offseason. Hartenstein is a good defender and rebounder, and he can also score in the post.
The Knicks are now left with Mitchell Robinson as their only true center on the roster. Robinson is a good player, but he is injury-prone and has only played in 132 games over the past three seasons.
The Knicks may now look to trade Robinson in order to acquire a more reliable center.
Hartenstein’s departure is a blow to the Knicks, but it is a good move for the Thunder. Oklahoma City is a young team with a lot of potential, and Hartenstein should be a good addition to their lineup.
Nov 20 2010; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder logo on a player’s pants during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. The Thunder defeated the Bucks 82-81. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Oklahoma City Thunder have had their eye on Isaiah Hartenstein for a while now, and they’ve officially managed to pry the big man away from the New York Knicks.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Thunder on Monday.
The Knicks wanted to keep Hartenstein, but they only had his early bird rights. The most New York could offer was $72.5 million over four years, and they reportedly did. They simply weren’t financially able to compete with Oklahoma City’s offer.
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For those on the fence, the Knicks offered Hartenstein the full four-year, $72.5 million deal, according to a league source. He opted to try free agency. The Knicks never rescinded the offer. They wanted him back. They just couldn’t pay him enough.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 1, 2024
Hartenstein is an elite defender who stepped into a big role for the Knicks after Mitchell Robinson injured his ankle in December. The 26-year-old Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 64.4 percent from the field. He was one of three players in the NBA with at least 85 blocks and 85 steals.
The Thunder desperately needed to address their size problem this offseason, and were seen as the most logical destination outside of New York for the 7-foot-1, 250-pound Hartenstein.
Reports say the Knicks have included Robinson in trade negotiations, but that will likely change now that Hartenstein has left.
