Report: Thunder ‘Top Threat’ To Sign Isaiah Hartenstein Away From Knicks

According to NBA insider Stefan Bondy of The New York Post, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the “top threat” to sign Isaiah Hartenstein away from the New York Knicks.

Hartenstein becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. 

“The Thunder is viewed by NBA sources as the top threat to pry Hartenstein away from the Knicks in free agency,” Bondy wrote. “After finishing atop the Western Conference with 57 wins in the regular season, Oklahoma City can make a stronger bid for Hartenstein than the Knicks, who are capped out but can offer a starting salary of roughly $17 million using their Early Bird Rights. The Thunder has roughly $35 million in cap space and a glut of draft assets to build on its surprising success last season.”

Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks for the Knicks this season while shooting 64.4% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 70.7% from the free-throw line. 

“One league source speculated the Thunder would offer a short-term deal (such as two years) with a high salary, providing both sides with long-term flexibility,” Bondy wrote. “Given their cap restraints, the Knicks’ offer for Hartenstein can max at four years, $72.5 million — essentially the same contract they gave Joakim Noah in 2016.”

Hartenstein has career averages of 6.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.9 blocks with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and Knicks. He was the 43rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

The 26-year-old Hartenstein has said many times that he wants to re-sign with the Knicks. However, money talks in the NBA. 

The Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in seven games. 

Meanwhile, the Thunder lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round in six games.