Knicks Rumors: Isaiah Hartenstein Agrees to 2-Year, $16M Contract in NBA Free Agency

The New York Knicks and free-agent center Isaiah Hartenstein have agreed to a fully guaranteed two-year, $16 million contract, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Hartenstein, 24, averaged 8.3 points on 62.6 percent shooting and 4.9 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game last year.

Hartenstein joins a Knicks team that could have a brand-new look at the center position this year. Backup big man Nerlens Noel has already been traded to the Detroit Pistons, and starter Mitchell Robinson has entered free agency.

The Knicks still have Jericho Sims on a two-way contract, but the team ultimately needed more depth at the position heading into free agency. They got it with Hartenstein, who sported an astounding 22.0 player efficiency rating in 2021-22, per Basketball-Reference.

Hartenstein also brings it on the defensive end. Per Basketball-Reference, his 106 defensive rating last season was tied for second on the Clips. His 3.1 defensive box plus/minus ranked first.

The Knicks are busy making moves this offseason. New York notably landed Jalen Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks on a four-year deal worth around $110 million, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

They parted ways with Kemba Walker, Noel and Alec Burks to shed more salary, and now they've picked up Hartenstein, who should have a pivotal role in the rotation next year.