New York Knicks rumors have been running rampant since the team was eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs. People are wondering what moves the team could make to help get this team to the next level and over the hump in the postseason. One player involved in those rumors is Isaiah Hartenstein.
What New York needs the most is better luck when it comes to injuries. It certainly seems that they have enough with their current core if they opt to run things back. Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle are an excellent one-two punch and the team has great complementary players in Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride locked in.
Where things get tricky is in free agency. The Knicks have several key contributors set to hit the market this offseason. OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Isaiah Hartenstein all played major roles for the team during the 2023-24 season. Retaining them would be ideal, but easier said than done.
If current Knicks rumors are to be believed, retaining Isaiah Hartenstein will prove to be the most difficult. He is in line for a massive raise, proving this past season that he is capable of being an upper-echelon starting center in the NBA.
One team that the Knicks need to keep an eye on is the Oklahoma City Thunder. According to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, the up-and-coming Wester Conference contenders are most likely to poach Isaiah Hartenstein.
“…The expectation around the league is that some team with cap space and in need of a more traditional center will come in over the top and offer more — north of $80 million and closer to $90 million for four years — and Hartenstein will take it,” wrote Helin.
Because of the current CBA that is in place, the Knicks are limited in what they can offer Hartenstein. A four-year, $72 million contract is the max. While all Knicks rumors say that the team wants him back and he would like to return, passing up on so much more money would be a tough decision to make.
A short-term balloon contract is also a possibility from the Thunder. They have ample cap space and could offer a one or two-year deal worth $25 million annually. That would give Isaiah Hartenstein a chance to hit free agency again when he is 28 years old.
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