Isaiah Hartenstein. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Knicks poised to lose impressive big man in free agency?

By Adam Taylor | Last updated May 31, 2024 5:22 PM ET

Isaiah Hartenstein was an integral part of the New York Knicks' run in the NBA playoffs. He has shone in both a backup and starting role during his time with Tom Thibodeau's team. Now it would appear that he has played himself out of New York, as his free agency market appears to be more expensive than what the Knicks will be able to pay him.

"The Knicks will be limited to offering their center a four-year, $72.5 million deal because of his early Bird rights. Any interested rival team will have the ability to double that amount — as much as $151.6 million over the same four-year length," Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported. "League executives and cap strategists are projecting Hartenstein will be able to draw at least $80 million, and perhaps upward of $100 million, from a team hoping to steal Hartenstein from Madison Square Garden."

Losing Hartenstein would be a tough blow for the Knicks. Mitchell Robinson has struggled to stay healthy in recent years. Finding a reliable big man to fill Hartenstein's shoes will be a difficult task. Hartenstein has continued to develop since leaving the LA Clippers to join New York in 2022.

If the Knicks do lose their trustworthy center, they may need to dip their toes into the trade market. All available big men entering free agency will be viewed as potential downgrades. As such, we may see New York hunt a star center, allowing it to move Robinson into a bench role. If the Knicks wish to keep improving, that may be the only route that makes sense.

Whatever happens, Hartenstein will undoubtedly find himself in a favorable situation. He will be coveted this summer. He will likely assume a bigger role next season and in the years to come. His move to the Knicks has been a success, and now he will reap the rewards of his hard work.

Losing Hartenstein will be a blow, but it will also be a message to players around the NBA that the Knicks can develop talent and that talent can go on to get paid. There aren't many better recruiting pitches than that.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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