The playoffs frequently serve as a yardstick for evaluating the strength of each team’s roster. It can determine a coach’s ability to lead from the sidelines and the potential summer worth of an incoming free agent. Perhaps no one’s playoff financial gain was greater than that of New York center Isaiah Hartenstein.
He is a 26-year-old who took over as the Knicks’ starting center following the injury to his teammate Mitchell Robinson. Throughout New York’s journey to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference second round, Hartenstein never gave up the position.
As he approaches free agency, Hartenstein plans to take advantage of a season that has demonstrated his enormous worth on both sides of the court. According to Yahoo’s Jake Fischer, Hartenstein will be paid at least $80 million, maybe more than $100 million, to entice him away from the Knicks.
The maximum deal the Knicks can give Hartenstein is a four-year, $72.5 million contract since they do not possess his whole Bird rights. Given how uncommon it is for centers in the NBA nowadays to land large contracts without being All-Stars, Hartenstein’s free agency was expected to be exciting.
Isaiah Hartenstein Has Turned Things in His Favor Following Great Performances
Given their salary-cap predicament, the Knicks’ best shot to retain Hartenstein could be to use his Early Bird Rights. However, as Fischer points out, their best offer is a four-year contract for $72.5 million. This might allow other clubs to try to sign him. Hartenstein was selected in the second round of the 2017 NBA draft. However, his NBA career has so far been primarily nomadic.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Isaiah Hartenstein played for four clubs in his first four seasons: the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He also played very little in his first three seasons.
Hartenstein used his advantage to sign a two-year deal with the Knicks in free agency. It proved a wise decision for his career. He debuted in all 82 games in 2022–2023 and averaged 5.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
Also Read: “I Know Who It Was”- Jalen Brunson Teases Big Reveal in Knicks’ Locker Room Fart Mystery
