Report: Thunder viewed as top threat to sign Knicks' Hartenstein
Isaiah Hartenstein could have a new home this offseason.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are seen as the top threat to pry the free-agent center away from the New York Knicks, sources told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
The Knicks can offer the 26-year-old as much as $72.5 million over four years due to their early Bird rights. However, the Thunder could offer Hartenstein a short-term deal with a high salary, per Bondy. OKC is projected to have around $35 million in cap space.
New York signed the big man to a two-year, $16-million deal in 2022.
The 7-footer averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 75 contests with New York this past season. He ranked fifth in the NBA in offensive rebounds, pulling down 244.
Meanwhile, the Thunder ranked 27th in rebounding during the regular season, including 29th in offensive rebounding.
Both the Knicks and Thunder were eliminated in the second round of the postseason.