Image Source: Instagram
[Saba Sports News] The New York Knicks face significant competition in retaining unrestricted free agent Isaiah Hartenstein this offseason.
Hartenstein emerged as a standout player for the Knicks during their 2023-24 season. The 26-year-old stepped up as a starter in place of the injured Mitchell Robinson and quickly became a fan favorite due to his relentless energy and strong interior presence.
His improved performance has made him one of the most sought-after free agent big men. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Oklahoma City Thunder are viewed as the “top threat” to sign Hartenstein if he leaves the Knicks.
The Thunder’s interest in Hartenstein is understandable, as they heavily relied on rookie center Chet Holmgren, who, despite averaging 2.3 blocks per game, struggled against bigger opponents due to his lack of bulk. Hartenstein, at 7’0″ and 250 pounds, would address OKC’s size issue effectively.
The Knicks can offer Hartenstein up to $17 million using his “Early Bird” rights, despite lacking cap space. However, with the Thunder having around $35 million in cap space, they could easily outbid the Knicks.
Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks on 64.4% shooting across 75 games this season.