Injuries have hit the New York Knicks hard in recent years. However, the Knicks managed to win 50 games last season for the first time in over a decade, as well as advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons for the first time in over two decades. If not for the injuries piling up, Tom Thibodeau might have coached the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, Thibodeau faces a new challenge entering the 2024-25 season, as the Knicks’ top line took a hit this summer when Isaiah Hartenstein left as a free agent.
Hartenstein stepped up in Mitchell Robinson’s absence and became one of the Knicks’ most valuable players. As a result, his value increased and New York faced a difficult free agency scenario where they couldn’t pay everyone. OG Anunoby received a max contract and Jalen Brunson also agreed to a smaller contract extension to help the team with long-term costs. Unfortunately for the Knicks, they ultimately ran out of room to keep Hartenstein, which is why the big man opted to sign a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With Hartenstein out, the Knicks now have some serious questions to answer in their frontcourt. Robinson is an impact center, but health has been an issue for him in recent seasons, as the Knicks’ starting big man has played just 90 games over the past two years. Julius Randle is coming off shoulder surgery, and Jericho Sims is a young player who has yet to prove himself on the floor in New York. The good news is that the Knicks have re-signed Precious Achiuwa, who stepped up at times last season.
Replacing Hartenstein won’t be easy, which is why Thibodeau recognizes the challenge ahead. The Knicks coach recently spoke with NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner about the team heading into the 2024-25 season, and Thibodeau revealed his plan for the center position without Hartenstein.
“We went through that last year. We started the season with Mitchell as the starter and he got off to a monstrous start,” Thibs told Aschburner. “When he went out, Jericho Sims started first, then he got hurt. Then Isaiah came in and did what he did. But when he got hurt, Precious [Achiuwa] came in with Taj Gibson. So we rotated guys at that position all year.”