Isaiah Hartenstein, center of the New York Knicks and the German national team, likely to change clubs this summer.
A year ago, Bruce Brown made waves as a key contributor off the bench during the Denver Nugget’s championship run, earning a special place in fans’ hearts. However, as free agency loomed, the Nuggets were constrained by CBA terms, offering him a modest starting salary of $7.8 million this season. Seizing the opportunity, the Indiana Pacers swiftly presented a lucrative two-year, $45 million deal, leaving Brown with little hesitation.
Similarly, the New York Knicks are poised to lose Isaiah Hartenstein this summer under comparable circumstances. The talented center, instrumental in filling the void left by Mitchell Robinson’s absence during the playoffs, is set to test free agency. However, New York’s Early Bird Rights limit their offer to a maximum of four years, $72.5 million. Yet, the market value for Hartenstein starts at $80 million and is expected to rise, according to reports by Jake Fischer at Yahoo Sports.
Potential suitors will have the leverage to double New York’s maximum offer, potentially reaching a staggering $151.6 million over the same four-year term. While such an astronomical figure may not materialize, league insiders and cap strategists anticipate Hartenstein commanding at least $80 million, possibly exceeding $100 million, as teams vie for his services away from Madison Square Garden.