A Beast of Offensive Rebounding Signs to the Thunder

In 2022, Isaiah Hartenstein signed a two-year deal with the New York Knicks. It was decisively the best decision of his career as Hartenstein thrived in New York. This past season, there were numerous Knicks that went down with injuries. The seven-foot was a huge factor for the team as he started in 49 games and played in all 13 of the Knicks playoff games before New York fell to the Indiana Pacers in seven games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He was a total beast on the offensive glass and was a large part of the Knicks’ success. Now a free agent, Hartenstein has just signed a solid three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Hartenstein was the 43rd overall pick back in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. After the 2020 season, the Rockets waived the seven-foot center and a few months later he signed a multi-year contract with the Denver Nuggets. Just a couple months after the Nuggets signing, Hartenstein and two second-round picks were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then, the beast of the offensive glass signed with the Clippers in September 2021. That following season, he became a Knick and had a great two years playing with Jalen Brunson and being coached by Tom Thibodeau. 

This past season, the beast of the offensive glass averaged about eight points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block in 75 games, 49 starts. About three of his rebounds a night came from the offensive glass. He averaged eight rebounds throughout the playoffs, but four of his boards were from offensive rebounds. Those second-chance opportunities that Hartenstein provides are huge and will impact the Thunder immediately.