JULY 12: The Knicks have officially signed Hartenstein, the team announced (via Twitter).
“We are very excited to welcome Isaiah Hartenstein to the Knicks family,” said Knicks president Leon Rose. “He’s a versatile big man who impacts the game on both sides of the floor and who plays with a passion and energy that is contagious.”
JUNE 30: The Knicks and free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein have agreed to a two-year, $16.7MM deal, reports Kelly Iko of The Athletic (Twitter link). It’ll be fully guaranteed, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Hartenstein had been linked to the Knicks in the days leading up to free agency, with New York said to be in the market for a backup at the five. The expectation is that the team will still re-sign Mitchell Robinson as its starting center, though no agreement is in place yet.
With Serge Ibaka still rounding into form following offseason back surgery, Hartenstein emerged early in the 2021/22 season as the Clippers’ primary backup center and thrived in the role, making 62.6% of his shots from the field and handing out 2.4 APG in just 17.9 minutes per contest. He even flashed the ability to hit the occasional three-pointer (14-of-30) and played solid defense.
Hartenstein has played for four teams in four NBA seasons and has never earned more than the minimum, but his performance this past season put him in a good position to land a multiyear deal and a raise, which he’ll get in New York.
If the Knicks are able to turn their deal with Jalen Brunson into a sign-and-trade, there are scenarios in which they operate over the cap this offseason, in which case Hartenstein would be in line for a chunk of the mid-level exception. However, if the club goes below the cap and uses room, it will have enough to accommodate both Brunson and Hartenstein.
And the Knicks are off to a fast start. How will this all blow up.
There it is the final piece.. they’re unstoppable now.
Dont think backup big was such a need, but ok, good player and nice contract
They traded Nerlens Noel and let Taj Gibson walk. That left only Robinson and Jericho Sims on the Roster. So they did need another big and he is an upgrade over what they let go.
Giving $8 million per year to a guy who is now joining his fifth team in five years with less than stellar numbers is insane.
Less than stellar numbers? Dude is great in limited minutes. Check out his numbers. 16/10/5 on 62.6/47.9 shooting per 36 minutes. 22.0 PER and .218 WS/48 minutes. I’ll fully admit I have homer glasses on but with Mitch’s frailty, this guy could be playing serious minutes. I love this deal.
That’s not knowledgable. His numbers are stellar; it’s the physicality that is not so much.
@Bucks
look deeper. his per 100, per 36, DefRtg and DWS are all very good.
Another genius ……..
We don’t know if Brunson is a sign and trade yet. If Fournier goes that helps cap room
Knicks are idiots aye hahaha
Great position of draft night and ruined it
Cleared all this cap space for Brunson giving away picks and players like candy.
You basically send out a second round pick to go from Nerlens Noel to Isiah Hartenstein, what was the point?
Why not resign Mitchell Robinson first or go after Ibaka/Drummond/Thompson/Cousins who are all capable as starters or bench players and you’d save yourself money.
JaVale McGee the best back you centre in the league for the past 2/3 years has been on peanuts and will still likely sign for less than that.
Rip Knick fans
Hartenstein is way better than Noel and also doesn’t have Noel’s extensive injury history. Do a little research please.
@Simmons
McGee was promised a starter’s job and money.
Game Changer
Knicks are awful – could have had Mark Williams in the draft.
Nerlens Noel is a better player than Hartenstein.
Knicks will be in the lottery in 2023.
Noel has a very lengthy injury history and can’t do… anything at all on offense. Please watch some video of Hartenstein and look at his numbers. He’s better than Noel.
They have enough cap space for Brunson and this contract.
Yay?
Yay, as long as Mitch stays healthy. Meaning closer to nay.
Thibs didn’t want to trade Taj instead of Noel ..?
I don’t hate it. Just gotta make sure Mitchell comes back.
You fools going nuts over who the Knicks sign for a back up center….why not wait to see what and if they do anything else before you judge their off-season
Because we’ve seen this movie before. Many times…
Can’t you read mokak? Normally sane posters are ripping the signing.
Who?
Very good passer, defender and finisher. Not a lot of minutes under his belt but he was fantastic for the Clips last year and comes in on a reasonable deal. Maybe there’s a little bit more shooting to be unlocked as well.
At this point just dump all the vets like Randle and Fournier and let the chips fall where they may. I would say we tank next year but we would just waste the pick in some new and creative way. I don’t even know what to hope for anymore. The joys of being a Knick fan.
Yes dump Randle for sure I want to see Obi start and play big minutes….Brunson, Quickley/Fournier? RJ, Toppin,Robinson starting 5….unless there’s one more big move coming in a trade….this could be an exciting young team to watch….
I actually like this for them. He fits some of what I had been saying for them at the 5 offensively. Now they need a 3 and D wing behind Barrett, and maybe a defender at the 4 behind Randle, preferably someone that can shoot it
Everyone’s just ripping on this deal because 1.) it’s funny to hate on the Knicks and 2.) they don’t know who Hartenstein is.
In reality, this is a very logical replacement for Noel; more offensive upside without the injury history for a similar price. Given that they have Jericho Sims for defensive purposes, I believe Hartenstein is a better fit.
Fwiw, I’m not a Knicks fan (Grizzlies)
Ya people dont realize how skilled Hartenstein is and he has been really good the last couple of years, and actually fits this roster. He isnt going to full time space the floor, like I had been suggesting, but he does enough on that end to fit what I was talking about
Their Hart is in the right place.
White guy on the Knicks ?
Since when ?
Question: If you were the GM of a team and you were forced to choose between drafting an Offensive minded team and then figure out the defense later or a Defensive minded team and then figure out the offense later, which would you choose. Offensive identity or Defensive identity. No in-between.
Defense, and figure out offense later, although it still depends on what is already on the team/what position we’re drafting in, and what positions on the floor we’re talking about
2022-23 The Knicks are better at the Center position. We go three deep.
Whats not to like …….. it’s called building thru the draft. Mitch (drafted), Sims (drafted), Hartenstein (FA signing).
We are nowhere yet …….. the genius of it all.
The horror , the horror of the knowledge Knick haters got. So elementary……
And boring as well ……
This guy’s gonna be a great addition to the Knicks’ injured list.