(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Not all NBA players go through the same things in their careers.
Some have to grind a little harder to get their money, and they must maximize their market value while they can.
That was the case with Isaiah Hartenstein, who left the New York Knicks to sign a very lucrative deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.
While the deal made perfect sense from a financial standpoint, it was clearly a difficult decision to make for him.
When asked about that, Hartenstein claimed that he loved his teammates and the city and thanked Tom Thibodeau and Leon Rose for all they did for him during their time together (via Knicks Videos).
Isaiah Hartenstein says it was “hard” to leave the Knicks:
“I love my teammates, I love New York. I really appreciate what Thibs and Leon did for me. The fans in New York showed a lot of love.” pic.twitter.com/FB7oDSoI7m
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) July 7, 2024
Hartenstein entered the league as a second-round pick, and he had to grind for everything he’s gotten in the league thus far.
He was waived by the Houston Rockets before signing with the Denver Nuggets.
Then, the Nuggets traded him again to the Cleveland Cavaliers before signing free-agent deals with the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks.
More often than not, he barely cracked the rotation and played limited time, but he made the most of his minutes in the Big Apple, particularly late in the season when Mitchell Robinson was out with an injury, to prove that he was worthy of more playing time.
That’s why the Thunder gave him a three-year deal worth a whopping $87 million, hoping that he’ll be the physical presence they need down low to take another leap forward after a promising campaign.
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