Moose on the Loose: Hartenstein heading to Thunder

NEW YORK (PIX11) — Money is money and, in the end, the New York Knicks did not have enough to offer Isaiah Hartenstein in order to keep him in the orange and blue.

The Knicks were in the luxury tax and had no cap space. The only avenue was to offer Hartenstein the max under his early bird rights, which was four years and $72 million. He agreed to a deal with Oklahoma City for three years and $87 million.

Hartenstein wanted to stay with the Knicks, but money is money. His career earnings sit at $22.65 million. The Thunder will now pay him on average $29 million per season. You can’t blame him.

Hartenstein is coming off of a fantastic season, stepping in for the often-injured Mitchell Robinson. He started 49 games, shot nearly 65% from the floor and over 70% from the free throw line. He averaged 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

Where Hartenstein really made his money was in the playoffs, where his feel for the game shined through. He showed remarkable toughness and grit as well. He is a loss.

The Knicks did all they could to keep him. However, it does not and cannot change the expectations of the Knicks moving forward with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle and Robinson.

For Hartenstein, he turned a two-year, $16 million deal with the Knicks into an opportunity to prove his worth to the rest of the NBA. It was a great signing by the Knicks and Hartenstein took advantage of his opportunity.

Now, the Knicks need Robinson to stay healthy. When he does, he is productive defensively and a great rebounder. But he has missed 72 games in the regular season in the last two years.

Hartenstein will be missed, but like most Knicks fans I wish him well and thank him for a great two years. He got paid and now moves from a contending team in the East Conference to a championship-caliber team in the Western Conference.

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