Isaiah Hartenstein, a New York Knicks fan favourite for his hustle and prowess within the paint, received’t be enjoying his dwelling video games in Madison Square Garden subsequent season.
Hartenstein has reportedly agreed to phrases on a three-year, $87 million take care of the Oklahoma City Thunder, becoming a member of the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed a season in the past, which wants some extra dimension and physicality.
In doing so, Hartenstein reportedly turned down the Knicks’ provide, which couldn’t surpass 4 years and $72.5 million, per The New York Post. That provide got here to Hartenstein “as quickly because the NBA Finals completed.
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Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks packing containers out through the recreation in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers through the 2023 Round 1 Game 1 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2023 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. (David Liam Kyle/NBAE by way of Getty Images)
The Thunder’s provide is reportedly front-loaded, which means Hartenstein is ready to make over $30 million subsequent season to play in Oklahoma City. That is about $5 million greater than the Knicks’ All-Star level guard, Jalen Brunson, is ready to make subsequent season, although he may very well be getting an extension himself.
However, Hartenstein would reportedly have been paid about $16 million within the first yr of his Knicks contract if he have been to signal it.
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It will probably be fascinating to see Hartenstein’s position with the Thunder, given the presence of Chet Holmgren, who performs middle for the playoff contender. But GM Sam Presti, who beforehand traded with the Chicago Bulls for veteran Alex Caruso, is aware of the crew wants rebounding and that was Hartenstein’s bread and butter in New York for head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Hartenstein, a second-round choose by the Houston Rockets within the 2017 NBA Draft, notched a career-high 8.3 rebounds per recreation for the Knicks final season. That manufacturing might be attributed to Hartenstein being referred to as upon to extend his minutes with Mitchell Robinson being injured for many of the common season.
Josh Hart #3 and Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks react through the fourth quarter in opposition to the Indiana Pacers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 8, 2024 in New York City. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Hartenstein had 49 begins out of his 75 regular-season video games final season — probably the most he had in his profession earlier than that was eight begins with the Knicks through the 2022-23 marketing campaign.
He’s additionally good on the defensive finish, totaling 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per recreation, and held opponents to beneath 53% taking pictures on the rim.
Hartenstein can rating, too, proudly owning a 64.4 area aim share with 7.8 factors averaged per recreation final yr.
After bouncing across the league with the Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers, Hartenstein was believed to have discovered a house in New York after his position of their Eastern Conference semifinals run final season.
Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks appears to be like on throughout Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs in opposition to the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on May 14, 2024 in New York City. The Knicks received 121-91. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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But being that journeyman for years, Hartenstein wasn’t going to show down a profitable deal to hitch one other contender within the Midwest.
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