New York Knicks free agent center options if Isaiah Hartenstein leaves | Sporting News

The New York Knicks’ No. 1 offseason task at this point is seemingly re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein.

The 26-year-old center had a breakout season for the Knicks and is expected to command a big offer in free agency. The Knicks are limited to offering him a four-year, $72.5 million contract.

While the Knicks appear to be making moves to try to retain Hartenstein, they’ll also surely have some contingency plans in free agency.

Here’s a look at three centers who could be available for cheap if the Knicks cannot re-sign Hartenstein. We’ll assume that the team keeps Mitchell Robinson on the roster, too.

Goga Bitadze, C, Orlando Magic

The Knicks have been linked as potential suitors for Bitadze. The 24-year-old bruiser is coming off a season in which he averaged 5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks in just 15 minutes per game. That’s solid productivity; it translates to (rounded) 12-11-3-3 per-36 minutes. He also had a career-high 60.8% effective field goal percentage, in part because he shot a career-low 14 three-pointers, which just has not been his shot.

Bitadze plays hard and cleans up the offensive glass — all traits that fit the Tom Thibodeau-led Knicks. 

Luke Kornet, C, Boston Celtics

Kornet, the former Knick, stepped up admirably for the Celtics in the playoffs when Kristaps Porzingis was out. Kornet isn’t the type to shut down the paint, but he uses verticality well, rotates to the right spots, and he’s now battle-tested.

Furthermore, Kornet could be an intriguing option on offense if he rediscovers his three-pointer. After attempting 439 three-pointers across his first four seasons in the NBA, Kornet has taken just 19 attempts combined over the last three seasons. The Knicks have never had a floor-spacing five under Thibodeau. Kornet could offer the Knicks a new look on offense, provided he wants to take threes again.

Thomas Bryant, C, Miami Heat

That Bryant’s playing time has fluctuated for three teams in two years doesn’t necessarily bode well for him with Tom Thibodeau, who is a stickler for his big men playing smart, tough basketball. Still, the Knicks may not have a lot of options in free agency.

Bryant is a fluid athlete who finishes well around the rim, can hit the occasional midrange jumper, and punish mismatches down low. The latter of which could be of interest for the Knicks, as Robinson and Hartenstein, for all of their skills, don’t often punish mismatches. 

His defense can leave a bit to be desired, but Thibodeau has a knack for helping big men improve on that end.