The New York Knicks may find it difficult to re-sign Isaiah Hartenstein, who will be a free agent, this offseason after a brilliant 2023-24 campaign.
![New York Knicks Rumors: Isaiah Hartenstein Could Leave New York After Getting $100 Million Projection Ahead of Free Agency 1 New York Knicks, New York Knicks rumors, Isaiah Hartenstein,](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_22930127_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the 26-year-old center could command a contract that pays him up to $100 million. Because of the New York Knicks’ salary cap situation, there’s a big chance that Isaiah Hartenstein will go elsewhere.
“The Knicks will be limited to offering their center a four-year, $72.5 million deal because of his early Bird rights. Any interested rival team will have the ability to double that amount — as much as $151.6 million over the same four-year length,” Fischer wrote in his column.
“There’s little expectation he’ll draw such a significant number, but league executives and cap strategists are projecting Hartenstein will be able to draw at least $80 million, and perhaps upward of $100 million, from a team hoping to steal Hartenstein from Madison Square Garden,” he added.
Isaiah Hartenstein had been important for the New York Knicks
The New York Knicks were ravaged by the injury bug this season, but Isaiah Hartenstein was one of the team’s constants. The former NBA G League Finals MVP has carved out a role as one of the top bigs in the rotation under head coach Tom Thibodeau.
![New York Knicks Rumors: Isaiah Hartenstein Could Leave New York After Getting $100 Million Projection Ahead of Free Agency 2 New York Knicks, New York Knicks rumors, Isaiah Hartenstein,](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_22952613_168400517_lowres.jpg)
Isaiah Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game on 64.4 percent shooting in 75 regular-season games (49 starts). In the playoffs, his minutes were increased from 25.3 to 29.8 minutes per game, averaging career-highs of 8.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on 59.2 percent shooting.
New York finished the regular season with a 50-32 record, good for the second seed, and went as far as the Eastern Conference semifinals.
![New York Knicks Rumors: Isaiah Hartenstein Could Leave New York After Getting $100 Million Projection Ahead of Free Agency 3 Feb 29, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) controls the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_22656296_168400517_lowres.jpg)
If the New York Knicks can’t retain Isaiah Hartenstein, the team will fall back on Mitchell Robinson, which is far from ideal given his injury history.