Ex-Knicks Fan Favorite Reveals Why He Couldn't Say No To New York Departure

The New York Knicks tried their hardest to keep Isaiah Hartenstein in the Big Apple. The standout center was a key contributor to their Eastern Conference playoff run.

Unfortunately for them, Hartenstein ended up choosing the Oklahoma City Thunder. In an interview for the New York Post, the ex-Knicks center talked about why he decided to take OKC's offer .

Hartenstein was offered a four-year contract by the Knicks that would pay him $18 million per year. On the other hand, the Thunder gave him a three-year deal that is worth $29 million per year.

With the Hartensteins recently welcoming a child, Isaiah felt like he couldn't say no to the higher contract.

“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.

The Knicks are yet to find a replacement for Hartenstein as the backup to Mitchell Robinson. Then again, it will be hard to replicate the former's proc