Isaiah Hartenstein believes he’s a starting-caliber center, wants to remain with Knicks
In December, New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson underwent ankle surgery that was potentially going to sideline him for the rest of the 2023-24 season. Robinson, 25, was one of the most impactful rebounders in the sport, averaging 10.3 boards per game and tallying career bests in offensive rebounding percentage (20.0) and total rebound percentage (19.5).
Stepping in his place was Isaiah Hartenstein, who’s never been a full-time starter through his first five seasons at the NBA level. Hartenstein, 25, has filled in amicably for Robinson, averaging 7.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 61.4 percent hooting and 64.9 percent true shooting in 22 starts. He’s nearly replicated Robinson’s rebound production, posting a 14.9 offensive rebounding percentage with an 18.9 total rebounding percentage across 48 games.
Hartenstein, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Knicks two offseason ago, will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The 7-footer wants to return, but understands there’s some unpredictability that comes with free agency–especially five months out.
“I love it here in New York,” Hartenstein said Saturday, according to Peter Botte of the New York Post. “The plan would be to stay, but at the end of the day, you can’t predict what’s going to happen. So you have to just go game-by-game.
“I love New York, I love the fans, I think it’s something special. And I love winning, I think that’s the biggest thing.”
The Knicks will have Hartenstein’s early-bird rights. Thus, it can offer him a maximum of roughly $72 million over four years without cap space (they are projected to be an over-the-cap team in 2024-25). Though there is uncertainty about whether or not the Knicks–should Robinson, who has two more years ($27.3 million) left on his deal after this season, stay in New York–will pay Isaiah Hartenstein that much if he’s coming off the bench.
The 25-year-old believes he’s shown he’s capable of being a starting-level center.
“I feel like in the past I’ve had times where I’ve played minutes like this, but I don’t think it was ever over a consistent two-month span. I guess I’m just proving that I can be a starter in the NBA. I think I’ve done that,” he said. “And us still winning is a part of that. I feel like you can be a starter, you can have great stats on a losing team, but it doesn’t really mean much. So just being in that starting role and playing heavy minutes on a winning team, I think that says a lot.”
Ever since trading for OG Anunoby, the Knicks have been one of the best teams in the NBA. Despite losing Saturday, they are an NBA-best 15-3 with league’s second-most proficient NET Rating (13.8) since the turn of the calendar.
They have climbed to the No. 4 seed in the East, sitting at 32-18; New York’s only a half-game back of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 3 seed and one game back of the No. 2-seed Milwaukee Bucks.
Hartenstein’s been a pivotal reason why, even if it doesn’t always show up in the scoring category. He does all the little things asked of a center offensively, even if he’s not the best defender in the world, which is incredibly important in today’s NBA. He knows his role, and he’s flourishing in it.
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