Isaiah Hartenstein’s free agency is one of the biggest topics on the New York Knicks’ offseason agenda.
The 26-year-old center had a great season with the Knicks, averaging 8.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 blocks after replacing the injured Mitchell Robinson.
Now, as one of the best big men available this offseason, Hartenstein is primed for a big payday.
His Knicks teammates know it too.
About him “Roommates” podcast with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and host Matt Hillman. The three began talking about Knicks players on team-friendly contracts.
When Hart mentioned Hartenstein’s contract, Brunson responded, “Isaiah is about to go broke!”
Hart agreed and said, “Isaiah is about to get a bag.”
Hartenstein signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Knicks.
Now he is ready to multiply it several times.
Yahoo’s Jake Fischer reported that Hartenstein could get a contract worth between $80 million and $100 million in free agency this offseason.
Because the Knicks do not own all of Hartenstein’s Bird rights, the most they can offer him is four years and $72.5 million.
Hartenstein has said he would like to remain with the Knicks, although it’s worth wondering if a large salary disparity would keep him away from New York.
Hartenstein was one of several Knicks players who had the best season of his career, as the team battled injuries to key players to reach the second round of the playoffs. Players like Donte DiVincenzo, Miles McBride and Hart (and, of course, Jalen Brunson, who had an MVP-caliber season) produced career-highs to help the Knicks.
On the podcast, Hart reflected that he wished they were all free agents so he could get paid after his career years.
“Obviously, when guys get hurt, there’s room for them to step up and really show who they are,” Hart said. “So it’s double for me, because obviously I’m happy… we have very good pieces that have good contracts and [we] can grow with.
“But on the friend/teammate side, you’re like, ‘Damn, I wish we were all free agents because we could all go grab a bag!'”
In fact, Hart is set to begin a four-year, $80 million extension. DiVincenzo is entering the second year of a four-year, $52 million contract. And McBride, who Hart and Brunson joked has the best contract in the league, will begin a three-year, $13 million extension next season.
Brunson is about to reap the rewards of an All-NBA season as he is eligible for an extension. Brunson is reportedly willing to sign a four-year, $156 million extension this summer, which is roughly $100 million less than what he could get if he were to hit free agency and re-sign with the Knicks.
Luckily, for Knicks fans, most of the team is locked into team-friendly deals that will allow a potential contender to stay together. The challenge now will be to get the key players back who will be rewarded for a great season.
