Booked Isaiahs: Thunder to sign Hartenstein, bring back Joe

Field Level Media|published: Mon 1st July, 11:02 2024

Mar 31, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) shoots the ball while being defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein agreed to a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, The Athletic and ESPN reported on Monday.

The Thunder also re-signed Isaiah Joe to a four-year, $48 million contract on Monday, according to The Athletic.

Hartenstein, 26, emerged as a prominent piece of the New York Knicks' postseason run but the franchise prioritized other moves to start the offseason, including a trade for Mikal Bridges and re-signing forward OG Anunoby.

A journeyman to start his NBA career, Hartenstein is set to join his sixth team since entering the league as a second-round pick of the Rockets in 2017.

He was a reserve for the Knicks before Mitchell Robinson was lost to an ankle injury. He started 49 of his 75 games and averaged 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds last season.

But New York could only offer a maximum contract of $72.5 million for four years.

Joe, who turns 25 on Tuesday, is a deadly 3-point shooter, connecting on better than 41 percent of his treys last season. He averaged 8.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 78 games (one start) for OKC in 2023-24.

The Thunder acquired Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls prior to the NBA draft last month. Oklahoma City claimed the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference last season and features 7-footer Chet Holmgren to pair with the 7-1 Hartenstein.

--Field Level Media

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