It's never good when a playoff team loses a starter for nothing in free agency, but for the New York Knicks, losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder is particularly painful.
Though Hartenstein was pegged as the top center in free agency this summer, the casual fan might still be surprised to see a relatively little-known big man getting a contract that pays him an average of $29 million per year.
Hartenstein had a career year in 2023-24, taking over the starting role when Mitchell Robinson got injured in December and never relinquishing it.
In 49 games as a starter, Hartenstein averaged 8.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 64% from the field. Hartenstein became a formidable rim protector for the Knicks, and his ability to make plays out of the pick-and-roll and finish floaters in the paint was a huge boost to the Knicks offense when defenses trapped Jalen Brunson.
The basic numbers somewhat undersell his impact. On defense, opponents shot just 52.3% within six feet of the basket when defended by Hartenstein. According to NBA.com data, that mark was better than formidable rim protectors like Joel Embiid, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Davis, and Jarrett Allen.
Hartenstein finished third in the NBA in defensive box plus-minus.
However, Hartenstein's offense is the area that might be the hardest for the Knicks to replace.
The Knicks scored 1.25 points per possession when Brunson and Hartenstein ran a pick-and-roll last season. Hartenstein's touch in the paint and ability to make a play for teammates helped change the Knicks offense.
Isaiah Hartenstein made four more floaters in game 6.
— DJ (@DJAceNBA) May 3, 2024
Floater efficiency for the series | 13-for-20 | 65% pic.twitter.com/r6bpQzYQDV
With the Knicks short-handed for much of the second half of the season, with Julius Randle and OG Anunoby injured, they were able to run Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo off screens, with Hartenstein as the hub. When teams trapped Brunson to make him get rid of the ball, Hartenstein was able to find shooters and cutters.
After having KP in a drop all game, Boston decides to have him switch and then have Brown come double to force the ball out Brunson's hands. Hartenstein flashes to the FT line and the pass from Brunson allows Hartenstein to make the easy read out of the short roll pic.twitter.com/wGLcsrvVny
— Ariel (@APachecoNBA) April 12, 2024
Isaiah Hartenstein really gives the Knicks a lift on both ends. His work on the short roll helps boost their attack especially with teams throwing more at Brunson. On the re-screen Brunson attacks, Hartenstein gets it on the pocket pass and it's right to OG for a corner 3. pic.twitter.com/Bg3CuXOD2P
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) April 10, 2024
That combination of defensive fortitude and offensive prowess is hard to find and almost certainly not replaceable with the Knicks' limited assets. The team still has Mitchell Robinson, who for now is in line to become the starting center again. Robinson is a good screener, finisher around the basket, and offensive rebounder, but he does not have Hartenstein's floater, court vision, or even Hartenstein's ball-handling ability.
The Knicks might be able to find a big man in free agency who can offer more offensive ability, but they likely won't offer Hartenstein's rim protection.
If there is one thing that may cheer up Knicks fans, it's been the team's ability to get value play from centers. Robinson has made a leap under Tom Thiodeau's direction. Hartenstein joined the Knicks on a two-year, $16 million deal and became so valuable the team couldn't afford to keep him. Precious Achiuwa went from trade filler in the OG Anunoby deal to a critical bench piece amid injuries. Even Nerlens Noel, back in 2020-21, had one of the strongest seasons of his career playing for Thibodeau and the Knicks.
Still, in a season where the Knicks hoped to gain ground on the Boston Celtics, Hartenstein's absence will be felt.
