Isaiah Hartenstein wanted to stay at the Clippers… who preferred John Wall to him

Even if he had already shown interesting things in Houston, Denver or Cleveland, it was last season, at the Clippers, thatIsaiah Hartenstein really showed he belonged in the NBA.

Off the bench, the interior has compiled 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 against average. His profile as a high-post passer pivot was thus particularly useful for Tyronn Lue’s troops, and everyone expected to see him re-enlist in California, when he had become an “unprotected” free agent.

Except that John Wall was also on the market and, internally, the stars of the team obviously felt that the point guard position was the team’s priority for this season.

“They offered the only thing they could offer me to John Wall” explains Isaiah Hartenstein about the $6.5 million taxpayer mid-level exception offered to the ringleader. “I was… I mean, I couldn’t take such a big pay cut. I thought of stacking again but the difference was too huge. »

Los Angeles could only offer him the minimum, ie 1.9 million dollars per year, while he signed with the Knicks for 18 million dollars over two years (16 million guaranteed + 2 million in bonus). This season, he thus receives 7.8 million dollars and if he was ready to stay with the Clippers for 6.5 million and thus lose 1.3 million, it was difficult to give up on almost 6 million dollars (7.8 against 1.9)…

A role at the Clippers that he liked a lot more

“I was ready to accept (the taxpayer mid-level exception) but I’m in a good situation here in New York, where the fans are great. Playing every night at Madison Square Garden is great, and I think I’m part of what we put in place to win.”assures the 24-year-old, who continues to indicate that he is not totally a fan of his role in Tom Thibodeau’s team. ” How are you. It’s more about adapting to a different role, but I think as the year goes on it gets better and better. I’m just trying to help the team win and I think I’m doing my job in that regard. »

It’s that at the Knicks, we see him as a classic pivot when the Clippers used him a lot more in creation.

“I love the Clippers fans. They miss me a lot. They were very nice to me. I’m very grateful to Steve Ballmer, Lawrence Frank, Tyronn Lue, all those people who gave me the chance to be myself and play like I know I can play. I think I’ve shown a lot of what I can do with the Clippers and now it’s just about adjusting to a role that’s maybe a little less important, but still helps a team win.” he concludes in particular.

Regrets no doubt shared by Los Angeles, since John Wall was released by the team and the team suffered by starting the season without a replacement for Ivica Zubac under the circle. To the point of having to recover mason plumlee during the trade deadline to fill the void left by Isaiah Hartenstein.