Turning the Page

More thoughts and reactions to Isaiah Hartenstein leaving.

Good evening (again, to guard against the possibility of something happening while I’m fast asleep)! The Knicks still haven’t made a move since free agency opened, but that doesn’t mean something isn’t coming. Let’s dig into what has already happened, as well as what might be on the horizon…

News & Notes

🏀 Presumed Knick backup plan Goga Bitadze is returning to the Orlando Magic on a three-year, $25 million contract, which is quite a bit more in annual value than New York could have paid him on the $5.2 million midlevel exception.

Three other possible I-Hart replacements who went off the market yesterday were Drew Eubanks (to the Jazz), Jalen Smith (to the Bulls) and Mo Bamba (to the Clippers)

Decent free agent big men still available: Moe Wagner, Xavier Tillman and Daniel Theis. If lotto busts are more your thing, James Wiseman is still out there as well (for good reason, I’d argue).

🏀 According to Ian Begley, Precious Achiuwa “has received interest from several contending teams and remains open to returning” to the Knicks. He also notes that they should have access to $5.2 million tax-payer midlevel exception, which should be possible under the first apron but will be much more comfortable under the second.

🏀 Isaiah Hartenstein said his goodbye to Knicks fans and NYC on social media:

Multiple Knick beat writers conveyed the fact that this was a very difficult decision for Hartenstein and that he wished he could have stayed. Lastly on the I-Hart front, Fred Katz reports that while New York was disappointed to lose their center, his departure “did not catch the Knicks by surprise.”

🏀 We have a new largest contract in NBA history (at least until Luka extends next summer): Jayson Tatum at five years and $315 million. The champs also locked up Derrick White on a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension.

Boston ain’t going anywhere.

🏀 Other deals of note: Klay Thompson is heading to the Mavericks via sign & trade on a three-year, $50 million deal with a player option, while Tobias Harris agreed to a two-year, $52 million deal with the Pistons. Tyrese Maxey also got his max.

Bye Bye Birdy Mailbag

Let’s start today’s column with a great question from Paul related to Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure, and why New York is seemingly getting screwed by the rules: