If every part have been equal, Isaiah Hartenstein would have stayed with the New York Knicks as a substitute of signing with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder as a free agent. If a crew nearly as good because the Thunder hadn’t made him a proposal, Hartenstein would have even taken much less cash to stick with the Knicks too. However the mixture of every part was an excessive amount of to go up.
“I used to be going to verify I used to be set for the remainder of my life,” Hartenstein mentioned. “However then on the similar time, if it wasn’t a crew like OKC, I might’ve taken a pay minimize as a result of I beloved it (in New York). However I now have a possibility to make that cash, make that pay increase, and nonetheless compete. I feel that was the primary issue.”
Hartenstein mentioned that Knicks star Jalen Brunson tried to persuade him to remain. Nevertheless, the veteran middle mentioned Brunson taking much less cash to remain in New York wasn’t the identical as his scenario.
“He’s form of in a special scenario than I’m in. Already made $100 million (in his profession). He’s the star participant, is aware of he in all probability gained’t ever get traded. So, it’s a special scenario,” Hartenstein mentioned.
The brand new Thunder middle that Brunson’s resolution confirmed what sort of chief he’s. And that was a part of what made it arduous to depart New York.
“It was arduous. For me, if it wasn’t a scenario like Oklahoma Metropolis with an opportunity to win, I don’t suppose I might’ve left. However that cash is — it’s a must to give it some thought, I simply had a baby so. … However it was actually arduous,” mentioned Hartenstein. “I really like New York. I really like the entrance workplace, I beloved my crew. So, it was undoubtedly arduous. If it wasn’t a scenario the place I felt like I actually had an opportunity to win, I in all probability wouldn’t have left.”
