Isaiah Hartenstein opens up on leaving Knicks in free agency: ‘It was hard’

Isaiah Hartenstein opens up on leaving Knicks in free agency: ‘It was hard’

One of the bigger splashes in free agency was big man Isaiah Hartenstein signing a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who finished as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference last season after going 57-25.

Hartenstein was among the best big men in the NBA for the New York Knicks last season. While New York was capped on what it could offer, Hartenstein opened up to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post about the struggles of leaving New York.

He detailed that if Oklahoma City’s offer hadn’t happened, he could have returned to the Big Apple on a pay cut.

“I was going to make sure I was set for the rest of my life,” he said, according to New York Post‘s Stefan Bondy. “But then at the same time, if it wasn’t a team like OKC, I would’ve taken a pay cut because I loved it (in New York). But I now have an opportunity to make that money, make that pay raise, and still compete. I think that was the main factor.”

Hartenstein, 26, had a career year last season, starting in 49 of his 75 games as a result of Mitchell Robinson‘s injuries. He averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game, shooting 64.4 percent from the floor with a 67.0 true-shooting percentage.

He ranked in the top-15 in total rebounding percentage, block percentage, steal percentage and win shares per 48 minutes; he also placed in the top-3 in defensive box plus-minus and offensive rebounding percentage–trailing only Atlanta’s Clint Capela.

Since the Knicks only owned Hartenstein’s early-bird rights, they were only able to offer him approximately $73 million over four years. The Knicks were reportedly willing to offer that amount, but it wasn’t enough to sway Hartenstein away from another contender.

“It was hard. For me if it wasn’t a situation like Oklahoma City with a chance to win, I don’t think I would’ve left. But that money is — you have to think about it, I just had a child so. …But it was really hard,” he said. “I love New York. I love the front office, I loved my team. So It was definitely hard. If it wasn’t a situation where I felt like I really had a chance to win, I probably wouldn’t have left.

“They really wanted me back and I really appreciate that. But it was definitely a hard decision. I couldn’t say no to an opportunity like this.”

The Thunder have had an excellent offseason so far, trading Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso while nabbing Hartenstein. They needed a bigger frontcourt player to absorb the bumps and bruises away from Chet Holmgren. He may not be a shooter who seamlessly fits into their five-out scheme, but the 7-footer’s an excellent hub above-the-break who can screen and playmake in the high post or out of the short-roll.

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