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Isaiah Hartenstein’s free agency farewell brings out the Knicks bromances

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Isaiah Hartenstein’s free agency farewell brings out the Knicks bromances

The Knicks brotherhood lost a loved one.

Isaiah Hartenstein is leaving the Knicks after agreeing to a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“NYC thank you for taking my family in and making my time there so special. Every time I went out on the court I always gave it my all for the city and I felt the love right back. NYC will always have a special place in my heart. All love,” Hartenstein wrote on Instagram.

Former Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The news exposed the bromance shared between the teammates.

“Love and will miss you bro thank you for everything you put into this team,” now ex-teammate Mitchell Robinson responded.

Josh Hart didn’t take the same tack with his former center.

“You are dead to me Zay. I never liked you anyways,” he wrote on X. “But congrats on the bag!”

Isaiah Hartenstein and Josh Hart during the 2024 NBA Playoffs Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

There likely aren’t any hard feelings between the two, as Hart had the big man as a guest on the “Roommates Show” podcast he shares with teammate Jalen Brunson several times.

Hartenstein played for the Knicks for two years, serving as a backup during the 2022-23 season.

This year, however, Hartenstein had much more time to display his skills on the hardwood when Robinson fractured his left ankle in December.

In the 2023-24 season, Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks through 25.3 minutes per game, which was a career-high. 

Hartenstein also served as a pioneer in a top-10 offense due to his hard-hitting screens for Brunson. 

Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Brunson high-fiving during the 2024 NBA Playoffs Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

He protected the rim efficiently on the defensive end, helping the Knicks finish as a top-10 defense.

Hartenstein also ended his star-studded season as one of just five players with more than 80 blocks and 80 steals; a list which also includes former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. alongside All-Defensive First Team selections Anthony Davis and Victor Wembanyama.

The Knicks now have a void to fill in their hearts and on the hardwood.

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