Knicks Face Tough Decisions to Retain Key Center Isaiah Hartenstein

As NBA free agency begins, the Knicks must navigate salary cap constraints to keep Hartenstein amidst competitive offers.

Isaiah Hartenstein is the Knicks' top priority in free agency after a standout season filling in for Mitchell Robinson.
Hartenstein's market value has increased, with other teams like Oklahoma City and Orlando poised to offer more lucrative deals.
The Knicks can offer Hartenstein a four-year, $72.5 million contract using Early Bird Rights but may need to maneuver their salary cap.
Possible strategies include offering Hartenstein a short-term deal with a player option or making additional trades to free up cap space.
Losing Hartenstein could limit the Knicks to signing less impactful free agents due to restrictive NBA apron rules.