Isaiah Hartenstein bolts Knicks for $87 million Thunder contract in NBA free agency

The Thunder made Isaiah Hartenstein an offer he couldn’t refuse and one the Knicks couldn’t match.

Hartenstein, the beloved Knicks center, has agreed to a three-year, $87 million contract with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference this past season, according to ESPN .

The Knicks could only offer four years and $72.5 million.

While the Knicks wanted to retain Hartenstein, they always faced challenges since they could not go to the same extent other teams could .

Their max offer, worth roughly $18.1 million per season, is nothing to sneeze about, but easy for teams flush with cap space to top.

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And that’s exactly what the Thunder did.

They offered Hartestein a contract averaging $29 million per season, which is more than 50 percent greater than the Knicks’ top offer.

Oklahoma City had been viewed as a serious contender for Hartenstein , and they met with the 26-year-old center Sunday as free agency opened.

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His representatives worked on the deal overnight, according to ESPN.

The Thunder needed to add size after emerging as a legitimate contender last season, and they’re acquiring an ascending player coming off two solid years with the Knicks.

During his two seasons with the Knicks, Hartenstein averaged 6.3 points and 7.4 rebounds while missing only seven games.

He averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 2023-24.

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Hartenstein flashed last season while Mitchell Robinson missed time, emerging as an important part of a roster that reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

He would have been a nice piece to retain, but the Knicks made their big offseason move by acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Nets .

Now, the Knicks will have to find a backup center in what is a limited market.

Nic Claxton and Jonas Valancinuas already have found homes for the 2024-25 season, while backup center Andre Drummond is headed to Philadelphia.

The Knicks especially need depth at the position due to Robinson’s injury history, and the team reportedly had been discussing him in potential trades .

Precious Achiuwa did not receive a qualifying offer and is now a free agent, which frees him up to head elsewhere, while the Knicks picked up Jericho Sims’ option for 2024-25.

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