Isaiah Hartenstein is set to get paid this summer.
The 26-year-old center had a breakout season with the New York Knicks, averaging 8.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks after filling in as a starter for the injured Mitchell Robinson.
Now, Hartenstein is set to hit free agency and is going to cash in on a season that showed his immense value on both ends of the floor.
According to Yahoo's Jake Fischer, there is a belief that Hartenstein will be offered at least $80 million, and perhaps more than $100 million, to lure him away from the Knicks.
Because the Knicks don't have Hartenstein's full Bird rights, the most they can offer him is a four-year, $72.5 million contract.
Hartenstein's free agency was set to be fascinating, as centers who aren't All-Stars rarely receive big contracts in today's NBA. However, Hartenstein is not only a solid rim protector, but a capable playmaker who can make passes out of the pick-and-roll and hit floaters in the paint. That kind of versatility was huge for the Knicks when teams trapped Jalen Brunson.
There are several competitive teams with cap space who can offer Hartenstein a big contract this summer including the Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Hartenstein has said he would like to remain in New York, where he signed a two-year, $16 million contract in 2022 that helped establish him as an NBA starter. And though the Knicks offer him familiarity and a winning environment, it may be tough for Hartenstein to turn down an offer from another team that could pay him $20 million more.
The Knicks could try to persuade Hartenstein to stay with them by offering a short-term raise with an early opt-out. Such a deal would allow Hartenstein to get a raise, then hit free agency again before he turns 30, with the chance to earn another big contract. By then, the Knicks would also have his full Bird rights and could offer him anything up to the max.
It's a great position for Hartenstein to be in.
For the Knicks, it looks like they are going to have to spend big to keep their team together. Even then, it may not be enough.
