Among the most coveted pivots of this “free agency”, Isaiah Hartenstein is notably followed by the Thunder. And Oklahoma City wasted no time in talking with the pivot, since the Thunder representatives traveled to Oregon, the German-American's home state, to meet him in person, assure The Athletic and Shams Charania. Isaiah Hartenstein could see his salary jump in Oklahoma City, while being given responsibility within one of the best teams in the league, like in New York this season.
With the Knicks, Isaiah Hartenstein gained weight following Mitchell Robinson's injury, in a role as a perfect interior complement for Tom Thibodeau's squad.
Good rebounder, especially offensive, underrated connector and circle protector: the 26-year-old would check all the boxes to strengthen the Thunder, lacking depth at position 5, alongside Chet Holmgren.
Knicks limited in their options
Above all, the Thunder has salary room with $35 million available without putting themselves in the red. The Knicks will not be able to go beyond $72 million over four years, or $18 million per season, especially after the trade for Mikal Bridges, and the contract extension of OG Anunoby.
Still young, Isaiah Hartenstein is also a rare profile in this offseason with few available pivots. Nic Claxton extended to the Nets, Jonas Valanciunas signed with the Wizards, and the rest of the contingent – like future Sixer Andre Drummond – does not have the caliber to be a starter in a title candidate.
For New York, we will have to react, and quickly, to free up space in the “salary cap”. Or probably find a base in Julius Randle, for whom the candidates are not rushing. And/or Mitchell Robinson.
| Isaiah Hartenstein | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | WHOA | 28 | 8 | 48.8 | 33.3 | 78.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.9 |
| 2019-20 | HOU | 23 | 12 | 65.7 | 0.0 | 67.9 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 4.7 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 46 | 12 | 55.0 | 33.3 | 64.8 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 5.1 |
| 2020-21 * | DEN | 30 | 9 | 51.3 | 0.0 | 61.1 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 3.5 |
| 2020-21 * | KEY | 16 | 18 | 58.2 | 33.3 | 68.6 | 1.6 | 4.4 | 6.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 8.3 |
| 2021-22 | LAKE | 68 | 18 | 62.6 | 46.7 | 68.9 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 8.3 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 82 | 20 | 53.5 | 21.6 | 67.6 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 6.5 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 5.0 |
| 2023-24 | NYK | 75 | 25 | 64.4 | 33.3 | 70.7 | 3.3 | 5.1 | 8.4 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 7.8 |
| Total | 322 | 18 | 59.6 | 31.0 | 68.9 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 6.1 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
