Isaiah Hartenstein have signed a three-year, $87 million deal with Oklahoma City Thunder per Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania.
In 2022, Hartenstein signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New York Knicks as a free agent, quickly proving to be one of the best value deals in the NBA. During the 2022-23 season, isaiah Hartenstein emerged as one of the league’s top reserves, playing all 82 games and contributing to the Knicks’ return to the playoffs. He stepped up as the starting center when Mitchell Robinson was injured, helping the team reach the brink of the Eastern Conference finals.
However, the Knicks faced significant challenges in re-signing Hartenstein due to the collective bargaining agreement. The first issue was the contract’s original structure; by signing him to only a two-year deal in 2022, the Knicks limited their future negotiating power. As a 2024 free agent, Hartenstein would only have Early Bird Rights, restricting the Knicks to offering him just a 75% raise, amounting to slightly more than $16.1 million for the next season and $72.5 million over four years.
Compounding this problem was the Knicks’ trade for Mikal Bridges before the NBA Draft, which triggered a hard cap. Although the trade is not yet finalized, the hard cap will be set at either the first apron ($178.7 million) or the second apron ($189.5 million). In either case, the Knicks would need to free up additional salary space to retain Hartenstein under these new financial constraints.
Isaiah Hartenstein is everything you need in a big man…
— NBA University (@NBA_University) July 1, 2024
True 7-footer. Elite rim protection metrics. Excellent rebounder—particularly on the O-glass. Smooth playmaking hub. Brick wall screens. SOFT floater touch. He does it all and it translates to winning impact. pic.twitter.com/oELnnYlGaj
Ultimately, the obstacles proved too difficult for the Knicks to overcome, and now Hartenstein is a free agent for the second time in two years. Ironically, the Clippers faced a similar situation in 2022. After signing him to a one-year minimum deal, they only had Non-Bird Rights and could offer him only a 20% raise. Having used their mid-level exception on John Wall, the Clippers lost Hartenstein to New York.
Hartenstein now joins the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that could potentially be the Western Conference favorites. Last season, the Thunder became the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history. They recently acquired Alex Caruso in a trade with the Chicago Bulls for Josh Giddey, who no longer fit their roster. The team’s primary need was an interior presence, which they have now filled with Isaiah Hartenstein. His addition should bolster their rim protection and rebounding, areas that were exposed in their second-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Knicks, on the other hand, will need to find another backup center. Given Mitchell Robinson’s injury history, securing a reliable second center will be crucial. Hartenstein was one of their key players last season, but now he moves on to the Thunder with a contract that the Knicks were legally unable to match.
Free agency:
- Tobias Harris joins a rebuilding Detroit Pistons organization that has made several changes this offseason
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chose a Bruce Brown strategy
- Kevin Porter Jr. returns to the NBA
- Tyrese Maxey and Philadelphia 76ers agree to 5-year, $204M max contract
- Paul George is leaving the Los Angeles Clippers
- Chris Paul left the Golden State Warriors and immediately found a new team
- Chicago Bulls have found a replacement for Andre Drummond: Jalen Smith agree to $27 million contract
Other:
- Kelly Oubre Jr. has agreed on a two-year, $16.3 million deal, to stay with the Philadelphia 76ers
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Cade Cunningham is in talks with the Detroit Pistons about a five-year max contract
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Naji Marshall agreed to a three-year deal worth $27 million with the Dallas Maverick
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Mason Plumlee goes to the Phoenix Suns for one year
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The Utah Jazz plan to release center Omer Yurtseve
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Luke Cornett is returning to the Boston Celtics for one year
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Max Christie is close to a four-year, $32 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers
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Obi Toppin is within reach of a four-year, $60 million contract with the Indiana Pacers
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