Cavs, Others Represented At Isaiah Hartenstein Workout

A representative from the Cavaliers was among those to attend a workout held by free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein in Las Vegas last week, as noted by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

The Cavs did not offer Hartenstein a qualifying offer in early August, making him an unrestricted free agent.

According to Hoops Wire sources, the Bucks, Raptors, Thunder, Timberwolves and Hornets are among the others with an interest in Hartenstein. Most sources expect him to be signed closer to the start of training camp.

While the Cavs remain interested in bringing back Hartenstein, the “priority” is for them to add wing help, Fedor noted. One team source told Hoops Wire that a Hartenstein return is very much up in the air.

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 Jarrett Allen when called upon. 

Rumors earlier this summer suggested Hartenstein might opt out to sign 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 Fedor 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.”