Knicks unrestricted free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein He is expected to be the top target of numerous teams when he officially hits the open market in the coming days.
With the size of offers the big man is expected to receive this offseason, sources have told SNY’s NBA insider Ian Begley that it has become increasingly unlikely that New York will be able to retain him.
Begley recently mentioned teams like Oklahoma City or Orlando as two potential options that have significantly more cap space and could make a higher offer than New York.
The 26-year-old would be a big loss for Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks, but he certainly earned himself a nice payday after his tremendous performance this season.
Sliding into the starting lineup in place of the injured Mitchell RobinsonHartenstein averaged 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 64 percent from the field in 75 games.
Begley also recently reported that Robinson was being talked about in potential trades, but if Hartenstein is expected to leave in free agency, that likely will no longer be the case.
The Knicks would then look to add a backup center to the market, and they are said to have shown interest in one. big magic man Goga Bitadze.