Despite a banged-up roster, the New York Knicks kept up with the competition up to the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. They missed the services of Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson but even with a thin frontcourt, they held up and even managed to come just a win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.
New York Knicks’ Isaiah Hartenstein in 2024 NBA free agency
Isaiah Hartenstein was part of the reason the Knicks were a tough out in the postseason, as he stepped up for the team’s frontline. However, his performance has also made him a bigger free-agent target in NBA free agency, apparently.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are rumored to be among the top suitors of Hartenstein. Meanwhile, another team has seemingly entered the picture, per HoopsHype.
New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein will enter the free agent market as one of the top players in his position. The Oklahoma City Thunder have been linked to several centers heading into free agency, including Hartenstein, as previously reported by HoopsHype. The Orlando Magic is another team to monitor for Hartenstein, according to rival NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype.
Hartenstein seems like a fit for the Magic, who are also coming off a trip to the playoffs. They got bounced out in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the promise is definitely there for this young team. Hartenstein’s not going to take away attention from the likes of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, as he’s someone willing to do the blue-collar type of work on the court while letting the stars shine. His size and rebounding could help the Magic, who were just 23rd in the 2023-24 NBA season in terms of defensive rebound rate.
Drafted in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, Hartenstein averaged 11.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
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