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Isaiah Hartenstein meeting with Thunder as Knicks face uphill climb to keep him

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Isaiah Hartenstein meeting with Thunder as Knicks face uphill climb to keep him

As expected, the center-needy Thunder are making a run at Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein.

NBA insider Shams Charania is reporting that Oklahoma City is meeting with the 7-footer in Eugene, Ore. Sunday night.

The Knicks want to keep Hartenstein, but they can only offer him a contract of four years and $72.5 million.


The Thunder are meeting with Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein in NBA free agency. Getty Images

Hartenstein is coming off a year in which he averaged career-highs in rebounds (8.3), minutes (25.3) and steals (1.2), and he emerged as the Knicks’ starting center late in the year.

He enjoyed the two years he spent in New York, but the Knicks cannot pay him as others like the Thunder and Magic.


Follow all the latest updates on NBA free agency, including signings, trades and rumors.


The belief is that Hartenstein could command as much as $23 million per season.

Oklahoma City is viewed as a team on the rise and would like to improve its center situation.

Hartenstein seems like a perfect fit with that in mind.


Isaiah Hartenstein battles with Pascal Siakam during the Knicks-Pacers series.
Isaiah Hartenstein battles with Pascal Siakam during the Knicks-Pacers series. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

In a weak center market, the 26-year-old Hartenstein is a valuable asset, a strong two-way player.

He made his mark with the Knicks after bouncing around the league, going from the Rockets to the Nuggets to the Cavaliers.

Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks would obviously love to keep him.

But it may be out of their hands.

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