Latest trade report makes bold prediction about Isaiah Hartenstein’s future with Knicks
The 11-13 Knicks are in 10th place in the East ahead of their Wednesday evening matchup against Trae Young and the Hawks at MSG. New York managed to defeat Cleveland on Sunday, 92-81, to snap its five-game losing streak at home. The Knicks were expected to be in play-in range, but how they’ve performed thus far has caused there to be “heightened scrutiny” within the organization.
The trade deadline isn’t until February, but once Dec. 15 gets here, players that signed deals during the offseason will be eligible to be traded. Three New York players fit this description: Jalen Brunson, Jericho Sims, and Isaiah Hartenstein. The latter was the team’s first signing in free agency, and according to HoopsHype’s Yossi Gozlan, Hartenstein is a player to watch over the next couple of months as trade rumors continue to heat up.
Hartenstein signed a two-year, $16 million deal in free agency and many Knicks fans were happy to see the seven-foot center move from LA to New York. However, since then, his defensive and rebounding deficiencies have been highlighted, especially when Mitchell Robinson was out for a couple of weeks with a knee sprain.
Will the Knicks trade veteran center Isaiah Hartenstein after Dec. 15?
Here’s what Gozlan said on the topic of the Knicks and Isaiah Hartenstein:
"“This is somewhat of a hot take, but I’d keep an eye on Isaiah Hartenstein. If the Knicks don’t get consistent, maybe they decide to sell off some of their veterans. He’s got one of the more movable and team-friendly contracts.”"
Michael Scotto replied to that with:
"“I’ll say this, Jericho Sims has fans in New York’s front office, and his play stylistically mirrors Mitchell Robinson more than Hartenstein, who’s a stretch big man who can pass.I think New York has to win, given where they’re at in their rebuild process and getting Jalen Brunson. They didn’t build this team to tank.”"
As Scotto said, New York improved the roster by signing Brunson to a four-year deal in free agency. Although the front office was unable to trade for Donovan Mitchell, Leon Rose is waiting with the Knicks’ trove of first-round picks to make a move for a star. New York’s priority isn’t tanking for Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson.
If the Knicks were to trade one of the players that will become eligible to be dealt in nine days, chances are that it’d be Hartenstein. Jericho Sims was a second-round pick in 2021 and had his two-way contract converted over the summer to a standard three-year deal. Even though his playing time has been limited, he’s impressed in his short time in the league.
As fans wait to see what moves the Knicks are/aren’t going to make leading up to Feb. 9, a surprise move like trading Isaiah Hartenstein could happen. Will his time in New York be over shortly after it began?
