According to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein could get around $13 million a year in free agency this summer, more or less the entire mid-level exception for non-taxpayers.
Hartenstein becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Knicks in July 2022.
“I’m focused on what I’m doing right now,” Hartenstein told Scotto. “I know I put myself in a great position to get a little upgrade. Right now I’m focused on the Knicks. I like it here and hopefully we’ll find a solution, but at the end of the day, business is business.
Hartenstein averaged 7.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks for the Knicks this season, shooting 63.7 percent from the field, 33 3% from beyond the arc and 72.7% from the free throw line.
“I think I’m gaining more trust from my teammates,” Hartenstein said. “I feel like now it’s like going back to how I played with the Clippers. We have a lot of selfless kids. There hasn’t been enough talk about Jalen Brunson’s directing this year. The way he directed this year made my life easier. I think that’s been important for us, especially considering how much they trap him and how well he’s making the reads.
Hartenstein has career NBA averages of 6.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.9 blocks with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and Knicks.