Knicks Rumors: Jonas Valančiūnas, Andre Drummond Linked If Hartenstein Leaves in FA

The New York Knicks appear likely to lose promising young center Isaiah Hartenstein to the open market this summer, but it sounds like the team already has contingency plans in mind.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported, "Should New York lose Hartenstein in free agency to a higher offer elsewhere, several centers are on their radar as potential replacements." Scotto named veteran free-agent centers Jonas Valančiūnas and Andre Drummond among the players the Knicks could target this offseason.

In addition to Valančiūnas and Drummond, Scotto named free agent Goga Bitadze as a player who could interest the Knicks and identified Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards as a potential trade target. Valančiūnas and Drummond would provide more of a veteran presence in New York's locker room if either of them agrees to join the team.

The Knicks made the biggest move of the offseason so far on Tuesday night by agreeing to acquire star wing Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a massive haul of draft picks. The deal reunites Bridges with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo while making New York one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference next season.

However, acquiring Bridges likely means the end of Hartenstein's time in the Big Apple, as the free-agent big man is set to receive a ton of interest on the open market. SNY's Ian Begley reported after news of the Bridges trade broke that Hartenstein will likely "be a top target for several opposing teams in free agency" and the offers he will command make it "increasingly unlikely" that the Knicks will be able to retain him.

Hartenstein appeared in 75 games with 49 starts last season, assuming an expanded role when veteran center Mitchell Robinson suffered a stress fracture in his ankle. In the month of January, Hartenstein proved he can be a reliable starter with an average of 12.1 rebounds. He also showed his toughness down the stretch of the season by playing through a lingering Achilles injury.

Still, it looks like losing Hartenstein would be a manageable subtraction for the Knicks as they try to build a roster that can contend for a championship next season.