Josh Hart Reacts to Hartenstein, Thunder Contract Rumors; Fans Concerned for Knicks
Mike Chiari@@mikechiari
Featured Columnist IVJuly 1, 2024
The New York Knicks have been loading up so far this offseason, but they finally took one on the chin Monday.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that productive fan favorite center Isaiah Hartenstein made the decision to leave the Knicks in free agency on Monday, agreeing to a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Knicks forward Josh Hart cracked a joke on X about Hartenstein's Knicks tenure coming to an end while also congratulating his former teammate on landing a huge deal:
Hartenstein's departure was expected since the Knicks acquired wing Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets and re-signed wing OG Anunoby on a five-year, $212.5 million contract, but fans still took to social media to express concern over what the loss of Hartenstein could mean for New York:
Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that the Knicks made the strongest play they could to keep Hartenstein, while Stefan Bondy of the New York Post added that Hartenstein struggled with the decision to leave the Knicks but couldn't turn down the contract OKC offered him:
Fred Katz @FredKatzThis move, however, did not catch the Knicks by surprise. Reported days ago that the organization was increasingly pessimistic about its chances at keeping Hartenstein, who it sensed would field offers far above NYK's max offer.<br><br>This was why. <a href="https://t.co/jJxn3nxAhN">https://t.co/jJxn3nxAhN</a>
The 26-year-old Hartenstein spent the past two seasons with the Knicks, and he is coming off the best campaign of his career to date, which played a big role in him landing the largest contract of his career.
Hartenstein started a career-high 49 of the 75 games he appeared in last season, averaged 7.8 points per game and set or matched career highs in rebounds per game (8.3), assists per game (2.5), steals per game (1.2), blocks per game (1.1) and minutes per game 25.3.
The 7-footer was a key contributor, particularly on the defensive end, and the Knicks will undoubtedly miss his skill set next season.
The Knicks do have arguably the best core in the Eastern Conference aside from the Boston Celtics with Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Hart, Bridges and Anunoby, but they are now severely lacking in terms of interior depth.
As far as current roster players go, Mitchell Robinson is by far New York's best option at center.
Robinson, 26, has had success in the past and averages about eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game for his career, but he appeared in just 31 games last season and his numbers were down to the tune of 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest.
Aside from Robinson, the Knicks' only other established center is 2021 second-round pick Jericho Sims, who averaged only 2.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last season.
The Knicks already have most of their roster set for next season, but it seems likely that their No. 1 remaining priority in free agency will be finding quality center depth at a cheap price.
As for Hartenstein, he goes from one championship contender to another, as the Thunder had the best record in the Western Conference last season at 57-25.
Hartenstein joins a core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Lu Dort and Isaiah Joe, giving OKC a potentially strong chance to go the distance next season.
