Isaiah Hartenstein is among the players who secured a big bag in the NBA free agency, as the former New York Knicks center decided to take his talents back to the Western Conference by signing a three-year deal worth $87 million with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder offered bigger money to Hartenstein than the Knicks, who he said dangled much lower money than Oklahoma City. According to the New York Post, Hartenstain confirmed that the Knicks were only willing to sign him to a $72.5 million deal that would span four years.
Isaiah Hartenstein opens up about leaving the New York Knicks despite offer
Even then, Hartenstein said that it was not an easy decision for him to leave the Big Apple.
“It was hard. For me, if it wasn’t a situation like Oklahoma City with a chance to win, I don’t think I would’ve left. But that money is — you have to think about it, I just had a child so. … But it was really hard,” said Hartenstein, who became a first-time father last month.
“I love New York. I love the front office, I loved my team. So it was definitely hard. If it wasn’t a situation where I felt like I really had a chance to win, I probably wouldn’t have left.”
In two seasons with the Knicks, Hartenstein averaged 6.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 59.2 percent from the field. With the Thunder, the 26-year-old big man is expected to provide muscle in the frontcourt alongside Chet Holmgren.
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