Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Scott: Two general managers told me they think the Knicks should offer Hartenstein the full four years, $72 million available, and they think New York can't afford to lose him in free agency. He is still very important to the Knicks.
I asked them for a test report on Hartenstein. They said Hartenstein is a good ball mover who can hit the floater in the paint and play vertically. The mitigating factors they've brought up about him are his health at times and his size as a paint protector versus a rim protector, and they say if Hartenstein gets the full four years, $72 million, they don't know how his contract will shake out. be after signing.
There is a lot of intrigue surrounding the OKC Thunder and Hartenstein, but I have heard that OKC will look to make short-term deals, most likely in free agency, if they are going to make a move. The Knicks could theoretically have an advantage moving forward down the line with that (granting more years).
Bondy: If I were a betting man, I'd say (Hartenstein) is coming back. However, I am not sure to say so OG Anunoby come back. I reported on OKC's interest, and heard something similar to what you said about a short-term deal. There is speculation that OKC will give him something over two years, $50 million with a second-year opt-out, something like this. Bruce Brown I got it.
I don't know where Isaiah's head is. How much money does he want to spend over the long term, four years, $72 million, and the security that comes with that? Or will you go for a short-term deal? I know it will be competitive with him. I know he's going to get paid this summer, whether it's the Knicks or someone else.
Begley: What I will say is that I think Isaiah was written down saying that he would return to the Clippers for less money. To me, if he feels comfortable in the situation and appreciates that — and we all know how comfortable he felt here in New York on and off the court — I think if there's a $25 million a year offer and there's an option to opt out of a four-year deal with the Knicks and maybe an option at the end of that, I think that stability can be one of the deciding factors for Isaiah. I think he ends up coming back here because of everything we discussed.
Bondy: There are a lot of teams with cap space and not a lot of free agents to spend on, so I think that helps Isaiah from a negotiating standpoint.
Scott: The expectation is that Nic Claxton he will return to the Brooklyn Nets. That's the expectation many have across the league, so that takes one center off the market. Jonas Valanciunas not expected back in New Orleans.
I posed the question of whether Isaiah would like a long or short deal to the league management, and their feeling was that because of his work so far and as he is coming off a career season now, they feel he will take the long-term safety wherever that comes.
As for OKC, they are much better if Holmgren said they played in the center, and they played five games. They realize that they need to strengthen their interior and get more power in their front yards. I could see them spending less money on the center than what Isaiah would have cost.
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