Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein pumped up his value this season during his walk year. They’ll have competition for his services and the Thunder are viewed as the main threat, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
Hartenstein made approximately $9.25MM this season and he’ll get a huge raise this summer. The Knicks hold his Early Bird rights and can offer a maximum of about $72MM over four years.
That might not be enough to keep Hartenstein, who started 49 regular-season games after Mitchell Robinson was injured and all 13 of the Knicks’ postseason contests. One recent report said the 26-year-old could receive $80-$100MM on a new deal from a team with cap room.
The Thunder will have around $35MM in cap space. While Rookie of the Year runner-up Chet Holmgren manned the middle for the Thunder, Hartenstein could provide a different element.
Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer recently noted that Hartenstein would help OKC with his rebounding, screening and passing. Rebounding was a major issue for the Western Conference’s top seed.
The Thunder will soon need to make some major salary commitments to keep its strong young core intact, so they make take a different approach with Hartenstein. Citing a source, Bondy suggests OKC might offer a short-term deal, perhaps two years, with a high salary. That would provide both OKC and Hartenstein with long-term flexibility.
OKC could go with a bigger starting lineup, sliding Holmgren to the power forward slot, or use Hartenstein as their main frontcourt reserve.
Why not just trade up into top three and look at Donovan Clingan. Say #2 for a boat load of unprotected 1sts. Idk exactly what OKC owns but feel like they’d save money elsewhere by getting Clingan on a rookie deal and getting others paid.
Because they are contending RIGHT NOW. A 26-year old starter has more value than a rookie center.
They also don’t need to trade anything to bring in Hartenstein….
Because most teams don’t want to trade a top 3 pick. It’s easier said than done to move up.
Feel like if OKC really do want to win they need to have basically six starters
Play “smaller” line ups with SGA … Lu Dort JDub and Chet and then “big” line ups with another more physical centre down low, Chet at the 4 and JDub the 3, Lu at the 2.
So instead of putting all their money into one person I’d be looking for value and trying to add two starting calibre players.
I really like the idea of Klay, he offers really good experience and elite shooting ability. I’m not just saying that cause he’s old and can make threes either. He’s won mutiple championships and knows what it takes and he’s also one of the best shooters of all time particularly in catch and shoot situations.
As for that big, I can see the appeal in Hartenstein but the price is pretty crazy in my opinion. Goga and Theis offer a similar skill set and will cost a lot less. Rob Williams is also someone I think could be a good fit. Back in Boston a couple years ago he was averaging 4 offensive rebounds per game and over 2 blocks.
Say they get Klay and RobWill, that gives your main 6 of the rotation and then you fill out the rest of the rotation with the young guys you have like Joe, Wallace, Wiggins, Deing and Williams.
if a guy who averaged 7-8-2 with an under 20 PER as a starting center in the NBA gets 100 mill… just fold up the league.. it’s done.. stick a fork in it. There’s gonna be a massive lockout that will crush the league
I do not see OKC paying him that much money because if they do they just went all in and say he is the only missing pick to a title. They would use up all of their future cap space on 1 player.
First of all the NBA is in the first year of a new CBA which runs through 2030. So, no, there is not a lockout coming anytime soon. Secondly if a team wants to use its cap space to overpay a guy to fill a specific need why would other owners care? It wouldn’t be the first time that has happened.
80-100M for 4/5 years would be an overpay. He fits the mold for the Knicks, but it was also by default due to injuries. Not sure he’d carry the same success elsewhere.
80-100M for iHart… like I said… next Mozgov.
thats almost 2x mozgov dude lol
Hartenstein is also twice the player Mozgov ever was
I don’t necessarily think Hartenstein is going to be a free agent bust, but he is the exact opposite of what the thunder need. Holmgren will continue to fill out and mature physically and hence be similar to Anthony Davis in that he is/will be an elite matchup problem at the 5 and only a moderate one at the 4. Davis never won anything until he finally committed to playing the 5 full time and Holmgren is that type of perimeter oriented offensive player that gives opposing centers so much trouble to guard while being an elite shot blocker in the paint who is much better suited to being allowed to camp there defensively instead of chasing a 4 around the perimeter. Furthermore, the thunder need more floor spacing to create more driving lanes for Shai and Jalen. They should spend all their money on the best 3 and D option they can get their hands on. Anunoby would be perfect – clear out a couple contracts and really put pressure on the Knicks to match by giving him a max offer. Otherwise trying to trade for a Mikal Bridges or someone of that ilk would be next best. This team has a ton of young depth and arguably the most draft capital in the league – they do not need to worry about going over the 2nd apron 3-5 years down the road when the formula will be to keep the team together at all costs – which again is exactly why they need to go after the very best expensive player they can now because this season and next will be their last chance to do so for a likely extended period of time.
lol Anunoby is basically a lock to resign in Nee York
Wrong.
Why would he want to go play behind Holmgren and why would they want to pay so much for a backup?
He’s likely going to play alongside Holmgren 15-20 minutes per game. Not having Holmgren have to fight other 5s all season long will help him focus on his development. The Spurs will be doing the same thing with Wemby. That’s why they paid Collins so much.
Doesn’t have to. 5, Hartenstein 4, Holmgren 3, Williams 2, Dort 1, SGA. Giddey can play elsewhere.
Already said he is getting the Bruce Brown deal. A 1+1 with the 2nd being a team option so a 1 year highly paid season. No team is commenting 4-5years to Ihart at $20million.
OKC may go up to 25 for the 1 yr.
Yeah …… only said it months ago.
IHart is not going anywhere. He can sign a one yr deal. And get paid next yr. He’s on record as wanting to stay in NY. Imo Knicks will trade Mitch. And draft a Center. It’s the smart move. Mitch will be part of big trade.
That’s definitely the way to go, however gotta sign OG also. It’s Mitch and Bogdanovic out the door for me.