Should Knicks regret signing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency?

When the New York Knicks signed Isaiah Hartenstein to a two-year, $16 million deal in free agency, fans were excited about the big man’s potential. To start the season, Hartenstein impressed with his floaters, passing ability, and occasional three-point shots. However, since then, the attitude toward Hartenstein has shifted.

Tom Thibodeau’s nine-man rotation features both Mitchell Robinson and Hartenstein (Robinson’s backup) but excludes Jericho Sims. The latter had his two-way contract converted to a three-year standard deal over the summer and has been playing sparingly behind Robinson and Hartenstein. Understandably though, fans have been calling for Sims to take Hartenstein’s spot in the rotation.

With the trade deadline approaching, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Knicks to shop Hartenstein. His offensive skillset isn’t being maximized by Tom Thibodeau and he struggles defensively and on the boards. It seems as if the more time that Hartenstein spends on the court, the more he struggles.

Jericho Sims should take Isaiah Hartenstein’s spot in Knicks’ rotation

Back in July when Isaiah Hartenstein was New York’s first free agency signing, it seemed like a good move for the organization. His contract was labeled as one of the best-valued contracts of the offseason, so even now, the Knicks shouldn’t be criticized for signing him in free agency.

Maybe if Hartenstein’s strengths were being highlighted by Thibodeau, the topic of removing the big man from the rotation wouldn’t be one that was being had right now. But even then, there’s no excuse for Hartenstein’s shortcomings down low. When Robinson is out of the game, Hartenstein gets exposed.

Although New York brought Hartenstein in six months ago and he has more experience than Sims, the Knicks need to accept that Hartenstein hasn’t (and likely won’t) thrived in the way that some thought he would in NYC.

Surely the front office took Robinson’s injury history and foul trouble issues into consideration when evaluating the Knicks’ depth, but there’s no reason for the starting center’s backup to not be Sims.

New York is in a position to make the playoffs and this may sound shocking, but the best players need to be out on the floor. Unless things drastically change on Isaiah Hartenstein’s end, he needs to be removed from the rotation.

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