The Cavaliers are not issuing a qualifying offer to center Isaiah Hartenstein, making him an unrestricted free agent and giving him the opportunity to walk for nothing, as relayed by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Per Hoops Wire sources, the Bucks, Raptors, Thunder, Timberwolves and Hornets are among those with an interest in Hartenstein — though he is expected to be signed later in free agency.
Meanwhile, the Cavs have decent depth up front with the likes of rookie center/forward Evan Mobley, forwards Larry Nance Jr. and Kevin Love. They aalso are widely expected to re-sign startig center Jarrett Allen, a restricted free agent.
Hartenstein, 23, is 7-foot-0 and arrived in March in a trade with the Nuggets for center JaVale McGee.
Hartenstein declined his player option of about $1.8 million earlier this summer after playing the best basketball of his career with the Cavs, averaging 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 16 games, admirably relieving Allen when called upon.
Rumors earlier this summer suggested Hartenstein might opt out to sig a much larger deal overseas, but agent EJ Kusnyer told Hoops Wire such talk is “completely false.”
Hartenstein recently said he enjoyed his experience with the Cavs.
“So far everything has been good,” he told Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com after the season. “Can’t really say what’s going to happen in the future, but I hope we can renegotiate something this summer and I can grow with the young guys. I think that would be a good experience. I feel comfortable here in Cleveland.”
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