The 2024 postseason did not end the way the New York Knicks had hoped. Injuries have severely limited his chances of playing in the postseason. Despite this, the Knicks advanced to Game 7 of the conference semifinals before losing to the Pacers. New York still had an impressive postseason due to the players they had available.
This offseason, the Knicks need to decide what they want to do with big man Isaiah Hartenstein. He just completed the final season of a two-year contract he previously signed with the Knicks. Hartenstein will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports that the 26-year-old could receive up to $100 million in free agency this offseason.
Do the Knicks plan to retain Isaiah Hartenstein this offseason?
Isaiah Hartenstein could receive up to $100 million in free agency. @JakeLFischer
“League executives and cap strategists anticipate that Hartenstein could fetch at least $80 million, possibly more than $100 million, from a team trying to pry Hartenstein away from Madison. pic.twitter.com/yl4qKF19GY
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 31, 2024
In the 2017 NBA Draft, Isaiah Hartenstein was selected in the second round by the Houston Rockets. He played for two seasons in Houston before joining the Cavs in 2020-21. The big man was traded to the Nuggets at the deadline. Hartenstein signed a one-year contract to play for the Clippers in 2021-22. After that season, he signed a two-year contract with the Knicks, where Hartenstein recorded the most playing time of his career. In 2022-23, he appeared in all 82 regular season games for the Knicks, making eight starts.
Isaiah Hartenstein started the 2023-24 season on the bench, but was a nice replacement for Mitchell Robinson, who retired in December. He appeared in 72 regular season games, making 49 starts, the most of his career. Hartenstein’s 25.3 minutes per game were also a career high for the veteran center. Due to early bird rights, the Knicks can only offer Hartenstein a four-year, $72.5 million contract. Any rival team could double that amount to $151.6 million. There’s a chance he won’t fetch that much in free agency, but that amount could still exceed $100 million.
Oklahoma City was the most mentioned potential destination by team executives for Isaiah Hartenstein. @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/EW3eu21dGv
— TF (@ThunderFocus) May 31, 2024
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports said the Thunder have been talked about often about potentially bringing in Isaiah Hartenstien. This would be an interesting move for OKC. Chet Holmgren has played as a center for the Thunder this season, but his shot-making and athleticism could make him a PF. If Hartenstein lands a big man in free agency, he could play a more traditional center role in OKC. This is all speculation and the Knicks may not be interested in letting Hartenstein go. We’ll have to wait until the free agency negotiation window opens on June 30th.