The center position has been a strength for the Knicks roster over the past two seasons. With the two-headed monster of Isaiah Hartenstein And Mitchell RobinsonNew York knows it can get as much as 48 minutes of rim protection, solid screening and offensive rebounding. It’s important that the Knicks keep the two players together, but there are some roadblocks.
Hartenstein’s unlimited freedom is one of the major storylines of New York’s offseason. The team has early bird rights to Hartenstein, meaning they can bring him back at a salary that is 175 percent of his previous annual figure or 120 percent of the league average salary. The maximum starting salary for the first year of his contract cannot exceed $16-$17 million.
With his unique skill set on both ends of the floor, Hartenstein will certainly draw interest from teams with available cap space. The Oklahoma City Thunder were mauled on the glass by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round and finished 28th in the category this season. Hartenstein could make sense as a physical big to add some versatility to their portable lineup. Other teams with cap space like the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs or Detroit Pistons could also be interested if they target other free agents. Still, it’s no guarantee that Hartenstein will get a great offer.
If the Knicks are able to re-sign Hartenstein, a contract in the high teens for him makes for an interesting salary dynamic for New York. Robinson is expected to make $14.3 million in the third year of the four-year deal he signed in 2022. That means the Knicks would pay more than $30 million for two centers. It’s a lot to commit to two players who don’t spend time on the floor together. Hartenstein and Robinson are similar in that they are non-shooters who work primarily in the paint as offensive rebounders. But they both bring unique qualities.
One of Hartenstein’s standout skills is tied to point guard Jalen Brunson. As the Knicks’ All-Star captivated the entire NBA, one of the strategies opposing defenses employed was doubling down and taking him out of the pick-and-roll. Hartenstein’s ability to play the short role proved crucial. He was able to get past the bounce and find open shooters and cutters on a regular basis.
It’s the reason he averaged 6.3 assists per 100 possessions in the playoffs this year. That was the third-highest mark among centers, according to NBA statistics. The only two big men before Hartenstein were the two most recent NBA MVPs, Nikola Jokic And Joel Embid. Hartenstein also developed a float that was effective. Teams will continue to double Brunson to get the ball out of his hands, making Hartenstein’s role as an offensive relief valve essential.
Robinson is arguably the best offensive rebounder in the NBA right now and his 7-foot-4 wingspan makes him one of the most disruptive rim protectors and paint defenders in the NBA. He did a masterful job defending Embiid in the first round. But he has also missed a significant amount of time due to injury throughout his career, including last season.
With forward OG Anunoby also hitting free agency, and looming potential contract extensions for Brunson and Julius Randle, this Knicks team could be expensive. That will ultimately make it a more difficult decision to have two centers make eight figures annually.
Having as many centers as possible seems to be in vogue in the NBA. This year’s NBA Finals will be full of centers. The Mavericks have the duo of Daniel Gafford and newcomer Dereck Vivid II. The Boston Celtics feature Kristaps Porzingis And Al Horford. The Minnesota Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals with centers Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Cities And Naz Reid they all play heavy minutes.
It would be ideal if the Knicks can keep both Hartenstein and Robinson on the roster. They suit the head coach Tom Thibodeau‘s style and their qualities complement each other’s weaknesses. Both players play into their roles and set the tone for two of New York’s strengths: offensive rebounding and defense. But as this team becomes more expensive, it will become a much more difficult decision.
