It’s never good when a playoff team loses a starter for nothing in free agency, but for the New York Knicks, losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder is particularly painful.
Although Hartenstein was considered the top center in free agency this summer, the casual fan might still be surprised to see a relatively little-known center get a contract that pays him an average of $29 million per year.
Hartenstein had the best year of his career in 2023-24, taking over the starting role when Mitchell Robinson was injured in December and never relinquishing it.
In 49 starts, Hartenstein averaged 8.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 64 percent from the field. Hartenstein became a formidable rim protector for the Knicks, and his ability to make plays out of the pick-and-roll and finish floaters in the paint was a huge boost to the Knicks’ offense when defenses locked in on Jalen Brunson.
The basic numbers somewhat understate his impact. On defense, opponents shot just 52.3 percent from within six feet of the rim when Hartenstein was guarding them. That was better than formidable rim protectors Joel Embiid, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Davis and Jarrett Allen, according to NBA.com data.
Hartenstein finished third in the NBA in defensive tackle plus-minus.
Hartenstein’s offense, however, is the area that might be toughest for the Knicks to replace.
The Knicks scored 1.25 points per possession when Brunson and Hartenstein ran a pick-and-roll last season. Hartenstein’s touch in the paint and ability to make plays for his teammates helped turn the Knicks’ offense around.
Isaiah Hartenstein hit four more floaters in Game 6.
Float efficiency for the series | 13 of 20 | 65% image.twitter.com/r6bpQzYQDV
— DJ (@DJAceNBA) May 3, 2024
With the Knicks running a shorthanded roster for much of the second half of the season, with Julius Randle and OG Anunoby injured, they were able to get Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo off screens, with Hartenstein as the linchpin. When teams trapped Brunson to force him off the ball, Hartenstein was able to find shooters and cutters.
After having KP in a disadvantaged position all game, Boston decides to have him switch and then Brown doubles up to force the ball out of Brunson’s hands. Hartenstein drives to the free throw line and Brunson’s pass allows Hartenstein to make the easy read on the short pass. image.twitter.com/wGLcsrvVny
— Ariel (@APachecoNBA) April 12, 2024
Isaiah Hartenstein really gives the Knicks a boost on both ends. His work in the short game helps boost their offense, especially with teams throwing more passes to Brunson. On Brunson’s attacks with repeated screens, Hartenstein gets the ball in the pocket pass and goes right to OG for a three from the corner. image.twitter.com/Bg3CuXOD2P
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) April 10, 2024
That combination of defensive toughness and offensive prowess is hard to find and almost certainly can’t be replaced with the Knicks’ limited assets. The team still has Mitchell Robinson, who for now is on his way to becoming the starting center again. Robinson is a good shot-blocker, finisher around the rim and offensive rebounder, but he doesn’t have Hartenstein’s floater, court vision or even ball-handling ability.
The Knicks could find a big man in free agency who can offer more offensive ability, but they probably won’t offer the rim protection of Hartenstein.
If there’s one thing that can cheer Knicks fans, it’s been the team’s ability to get value out of centers. Robinson has made a huge leap under Tom Thiodeau. Hartenstein joined the Knicks on a two-year, $16 million deal and became so valuable that the team couldn’t afford to keep him. Precious Achiuwa went from filler in the OG Anunoby deal to a pivotal bench piece amid injuries. Even Nerlens Noel, in 2020-21, had one of the strongest seasons of his career playing for Thibodeau and the Knicks.
Still, in a season in which the Knicks hoped to gain ground on the Boston Celtics, Hartenstein’s absence will be felt.