Knicks Rumors: Latest on Hartenstein Pursuit After Bridges Trade, Anunoby Contract

The New York Knicks are trying to iron out a few details in their trade for star forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets to retain Isaiah Hartenstein.

Per The Athletic's Fred Katz: "The Knicks have searched for ways to add money to the trade in the two days since agreeing with the Nets, according to league sources. Tossing in one minimum salary would not fill in the difference between Bridges, who makes $23.3 million, and [Bojan] Bogdanović, who makes $19 million."

Katz noted the Knicks are trying to avoid hard-capping themselves in the deal to try to bring Hartenstein back in free agency. However, Katz noted the Knicks have grown more "pessimistic" about the prospect of Hartenstein returning.

With the Nets agreeing to a four-year, $100 million contract with Nic Claxton on Wednesday, Hartenstein is the top center remaining on the market. Katz noted that in addition to the interest he'll generate on the open market, Hartenstein "also has a nine-figure contract he can point to as a comp" thanks to Claxton's deal. The highest that the Knicks can offer him is $72.5 million over four years.

After agreeing to acquire Bridges, the Knicks are also set to re-sign swingman OG Anunoby to a massive five-year, $212.5 million contract, which adds to their financial constraints this offseason.

In 2023-24, Hartenstein played 75 games with 49 starts and averaged 7.8 points, a career-high 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. He averaged 12.1 rebounds in the month of January while playing in an expanded role after starting center Mitchell Robinson suffered a fractured ankle.

If the Knicks are unable to bring back Hartenstein, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on Wednesday that "several centers are on their radar as potential replacements." Scotto named free agents Jonas Valančiūnas, Andre Drummond, Goga Bitadze and Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards as targets for New York to sign or acquire in a trade.

The Knicks are hoping to contend for a title next season, so they will need to have a contingency plan in place if they lose Hartenstein to the open market.