The New York Knicks had the NBA world rattled Tuesday night when they surprisingly pulled off a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, with NY landing yet another Villanova Wildcats product in the form of Mikal Bridges.
The Knicks still have other items on their to-do list this offseason, including re-signing big man Isaiah Hartenstein. However, it’s becoming unlikely that the Knicks would be able to retain the services of Hartenstein, with other teams capable of offering much bigger money than New York.
Via Ian Begley of SNY:
“NYK free agent C Isaiah Hartenstein is expected to be a top target for several opposing teams in free agency. With the offers that Hartenstein is expected to command on open market, it’s become increasingly unlikely that NYK will be able to retain Hartenstein, per SNY sources”
Will the New York Knicks keep Isaiah Hartenstein amid outside interest?
The Knicks have Hartenstein’s bird rights, but they can only afford up to a four-year deal worth $72.5 million, He can get much more money in free agency from other teams looking to beef up their frontcourt.
Last season, Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while shooting a high 64.4 percent from the field. With the Knicks missing Mitchell Robinson for the most part of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Hartenstein stepped up and started in all 13 games for New York, which reached the second round of the postseason. He averaged 8.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 0.9 blocks in the playoffs while converting on 59.2 percent of his attempts from the floor.
The Orlando Magic and the Oklahoma City Thunder are among the teams being linked this offseason to Hartenstein, who was taken in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets.
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