New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein has made the most of his chance as a starter and is earning himself a nice pay raise this summer as one of the top unrestricted free-agent centers on the market.
Several executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe Hartenstein could command around $13 million a year in free agency this summer, roughly the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
While averaging career-highs in minutes (24.9), rebounds (8.3), steals (1.1), and following a season-high nine assists in a win versus the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden, Hartenstein spoke to HoopsHype about his free agency future and journey to this point.
Hartenstein discussed falling in the draft unexpectedly, how his time with the Los Angeles Clippers changed his career trajectory, working with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau behind the scenes to improve defensively, how Nikola Jokic helped him as a passer, and why he’d like to re-sign with the Knicks this summer.