It was a difficult decision for Isaiah Hartenstein, who had a guaranteed starting spot with the Knicks and chemistry with his teammates.
Part of the reason Isaiah Hartenstein chose Oklahoma City was an opportunity to “expand my game a lot,” he said Saturday — specifically, showcase an offensive skill set that wasn’t encouraged by the Knicks.
Of course, the other big factor was money. The Knicks were capped at an offer of four years, $72.5 million, which they kept on the table until Hartenstein signed elsewhere. The Thunder gave Hartenstein a three-year, $87 million contract — though the final season, as The Post reported, is a team option. The guarantee is two years and roughly $58 million — or about an $11 million higher average salary than the Knicks’ offer.
Losing Hartenstein put the Knicks in a bind as they navigate a diminished center market for a replacement. Logic indicates Thibodeau will start Mitchell Robinson, who is injury prone but was on an All-Defense trajectory last season before undergoing ankle surgery. They can still re-sign Precious Achiuwa using his Bird Rights, but sources said Thibodeau prefers him at power forward over center.
“You have to acknowledge the fact that Isaiah was coming from a great situation,” Presti said of his pitch to the player. “The worst thing you can do is to walk into a situation and try to diminish the current place that the player has played in. I think showing a lot of respect for that, respecting how difficult a decision can be like that for a player. Especially when they’ve had success, both personal and collective. You can always put your best foot forward.
The max extension Brunson can ink this summer is four years, $156.5 million. If he waits until free agency in 2025, he’s eligible for a new contract from the Knicks worth around $260 million-$270 million over five years..’ I was like what the eff. … $212 million?” Brunson said on his podcast, “Roommates Show.”
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