Ex-Clippers center headed to Garden
While all the focus for the Knicks leading up to the free-agency period circulated around Jalen Brunson, they were able to multitask.
Just as free agency began, Stadium’s Shams Charania reported the Knicks had agreed to terms with stretch center Isaiah Hartenstein on a fully guaranteed two-year, $16 million contract. He signed a oneyear minimum contract with the Clippers last year and made the most of it, turning his best season in the NBA into a solid deal with the Knicks.
The 24-year-old, 7-footer averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists last year while shooting 46.7 percent from 3-point range in 17.9 minutes per game. He has bounced around, playing for the Rockets, Nuggets, Cavaliers and Clippers, and was expected to receive interest from a lot of teams, most notably the Magic.
But the Knicks — who had created more than $30 million in cap space by trading out of the first round and dealing veterans Alec Burks, Kemba Walker and Nerlens Noel — jumped in to land the versatile big man. It’s uncertain where this leaves Mitchell Robinson, who was reportedly expected to return.
Hartenstein presents a different dimension for the Knicks on offense, a center capable of spacing the floor. He attempted less than one 3-pointer per game last year but is capable of hitting from beyond the arc.
He’s also a more-than-capable defender, blocking 3.1 shots per 100 possessions, which ranked as the ninthhighest figure in the league. Opponents made just 47.5 percent of their attempts against him at the rim, which was the lowest in the NBA, according to MavsMoneyBall.com.
An NBA scout familiar with Hartenstein views him as a “high-level” backup.
“Really high IQ player. Not an elite athlete but understands how to overcome his limitations,” the scout said. “One of the best passing centers in the NBA. Can run your offense through him at times. Hasn’t proven to be a consistent 3-point shooter.”
Hartenstein grew up in Oregon and moved to Germany at the age of 10, where his father, Florian, was playing. He played professionally in Lithuania before being drafted by the Rockets in the second round in 2017.