After adding Mikal Bridges via a blockbuster trade deal, the New York Knicks lost a pivotal piece of their roster via NBA free agency. This comes in the form of starting center Isaiah Hartenstein, who has now decided to take his talents to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
According to reports, Hartenstein would have preferred to stay with the Knicks. However, he reportedly had a couple of compelling reasons to walk away.
New York Knicks News: Isaiah Hartenstein Wanted to Stay
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post recently revealed that Hartenstein simply could not turn down the Thunder’s offer of $87 million for three years:
“Heard from multiple people how tough a decision it was for Hartenstein to leave the Knicks. He really wanted to stay. Loved his time with Knicks. Difference in average salary is almost double though, plus cost of living is cheaper in OKC,” Bondry reported on X, formerly Twitter.
To be fair to the Knicks, they did all they could to keep the 7-foot big man. However, the best they could do was $72.5 million for four years. That’s a whopping $10.9 million difference per season, which is more than a third of the $29 million per Hartenstein will be pocketing now that he’s in OKC.
As indicated in the report, Hartenstein would have preferred to remain in New York, especially with the excitement surrounding Bridges‘ arrival. However, the Thunder are also expected to make even more noise in 2024-25 out in the West, and Hartenstein could be an integral figure in what OKC is hoping will be a title push in the upcoming season.
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