iHart expected to sign with OKC 3/$87

[Orange Mamba]

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[sol537]

$58m vs $34m guaranteed for the first two years… few would turn that $24m down. That’s $12m per year. That difference is more than he’s earned in any year so far. Let that sink in. If the money was close, he’d stay. The money is not close.

[2010]

the bottom line for me is IHart did not want to be here and I dont want to hear about "more money". He already made 16 million the prior 2 years. Apparently what he experienced wasnt good enough to keep him here. For that reason I am happy that he left.

Looks like he left for the promise of an expanded role offensively:

Part of the reason Isaiah Hartenstein chose Oklahoma City was an opportunity to “expand my game a lot,” he said Saturday — specifically, showcase an offensive skill set that wasn’t encouraged by the Knicks.

“If you’re an NBA player, you have to adapt to certain roles. And that’s what I did in New York,” Hartenstein told reporters after officially inking his lucrative deal with the Thunder. “My passing only came out in the last year. My first year, I had to adapt to a certain role. So I feel like I can get back to that shooting aspect. Before, I was shooting, so I want to get back to that even more.”

In his first season with the Knicks in 2022-23, Hartenstein wasn’t shy about his difficulty adapting to the limited offensive role of a center in Tom Thibodeau’s system — which was mostly predicated on screening and rebounding. It was different at his previous stop with the Clippers, where Hartenstein hit the occasional 3-pointer at a strong percentage and racked up more points and assists per minute.

“I’m a high-IQ player. There’s a lot of guys cutting. I think I’m one of the best passers in the NBA. And then just the culture, very family-based. It was just something that was really exciting for me. I feel like I can really expand my game.”

“You have to acknowledge the fact that Isaiah was coming from a great situation,” Presti said of his pitch to the player. “The worst thing you can do is to walk into a situation and try to diminish the current place that the player has played in. I think showing a lot of respect for that, respecting how difficult a decision can be like that for a player. Especially when they’ve had success, both personal and collective. You can always put your best foot forward.

“I think it’s less about thinking about the past with the other team and more about thinking about the future with your team. What that can potentially look like. Part of that with him being only 26 and our belief that we can continue his development and put him into situations where he can expand his strengths and what he does well. But these are really tough decisions for free agents. … Fortunately for us, I think he was able to see some of the things we were talking about.”

https://nypost.com/2024/07/06/sports/thunder-wooed-isaiah-hartenstein-away-from-knicks-with-expanded-role/

[Context]

the bottom line for me is IHart did not want to be here and I dont want to hear about "more money". He already made 16 million the prior 2 years. Apparently what he experienced wasnt good enough to keep him here. For that reason I am happy that he left.

Looks like he left for the promise of an expanded role offensively:

Part of the reason Isaiah Hartenstein chose Oklahoma City was an opportunity to “expand my game a lot,” he said Saturday — specifically, showcase an offensive skill set that wasn’t encouraged by the Knicks.

“If you’re an NBA player, you have to adapt to certain roles. And that’s what I did in New York,” Hartenstein told reporters after officially inking his lucrative deal with the Thunder. “My passing only came out in the last year. My first year, I had to adapt to a certain role. So I feel like I can get back to that shooting aspect. Before, I was shooting, so I want to get back to that even more.”

In his first season with the Knicks in 2022-23, Hartenstein wasn’t shy about his difficulty adapting to the limited offensive role of a center in Tom Thibodeau’s system — which was mostly predicated on screening and rebounding. It was different at his previous stop with the Clippers, where Hartenstein hit the occasional 3-pointer at a strong percentage and racked up more points and assists per minute.

“I’m a high-IQ player. There’s a lot of guys cutting. I think I’m one of the best passers in the NBA. And then just the culture, very family-based. It was just something that was really exciting for me. I feel like I can really expand my game.”

“You have to acknowledge the fact that Isaiah was coming from a great situation,” Presti said of his pitch to the player. “The worst thing you can do is to walk into a situation and try to diminish the current place that the player has played in. I think showing a lot of respect for that, respecting how difficult a decision can be like that for a player. Especially when they’ve had success, both personal and collective. You can always put your best foot forward.

“I think it’s less about thinking about the past with the other team and more about thinking about the future with your team. What that can potentially look like. Part of that with him being only 26 and our belief that we can continue his development and put him into situations where he can expand his strengths and what he does well. But these are really tough decisions for free agents. … Fortunately for us, I think he was able to see some of the things we were talking about.”

https://nypost.com/2024/07/06/sports/thunder-wooed-isaiah-hartenstein-away-from-knicks-with-expanded-role/

This is what I tried to tell many...It wasnt about the money...Makes sense to me...
He already made 16 million and he looks like a humble -family man...OKC had to go to Oregan to meet with him...

Hopefully the Thibs philosopy will get us a chip...

Thanks for posting this btw...

[sol537]

No one will say it was about the money. It was about the money. This other stuff is ancillary.

Maybe it works out for him… maybe not.

[Context]

No one will say it was about the money. It was about the money. This other stuff is ancillary.

Maybe it works out for him… maybe not.

He just told you what it was. I knew it wasnt about the money. It was CLEAR to me that he was not HAPPY.
Money doesn't equal happiness. Doesn't matter if its 1 million, 100k, 4 million, etc
Once you pass a certain level- the difference becomes "stuff". He lifestyle wont change much between the 34 million guaranteed and the 58 million guaranteed. Not to mention, he would have made a lot more money in New York.
He wanted to play basketball to his fullest. Period. Ihart has a love for the game.

Let me ask you something...what do you love the most in this world? and/or what gets you the most excited when you do it?


why didnt he take the money?

Read on Twitter

[HopelessKnick]

No one will say it was about the money. It was about the money. This other stuff is ancillary.

Maybe it works out for him… maybe not.

I also believe that money was a very important part of the decision but the other stuff was likely also very important. Here in Germany there were always rumors about Hartenstein being unhappy with his role in NY (until the Mitch injury where his PT doubled).

Wishing him all the best and at the same time curious to find out how good he is going to be in OKC. Generally Thibs and the coaching staff have been pretty accurate on their judgements---players that left us rarely blew up somewhere else. If Hartenstein really establishes that 3point shot it will be a big loss because then he'd definitely be a much better player than Mitch IMO. However at the same time it'd take away from his offensive rebounding if he camps out at the 3 point line a lot.

[HopelessKnick]

Yo guys

The last year on Hartenstein's deal with OKC is a TEAM OPTION!

What the hell. Why wouldn't he just stay with the Knicks on a fully guaranteed deal?

Something is up.

2 Years and 60mill. guaranteed vs. 4years/72mill. guaranteed. Pretty easy choice. If he even just maintains his current level of play he'll easily get 20mill. per year on his following deals where he'll be just 28years old. The money between us and OKC was not even close.

[NYKat]

Read on Twitter

Note the low key jab at Thibs, when he says Mark is “open-minded”

Interesting to note that one of the selling points of him joining OKC was the new coach’s willingness to let him take 3’s which Thibs apparently discouraged here.

[Ray Williams]

I think even if we had the right to match IHart’s contract we’re not matching that. And expectations change when you get that type of a contract, think of all the average players we’ve overpaid and then hated for being average.

[Besart19]

while i really wanted us to keep ihart, it is worth noting he only played very well in a contract year. he was pretty meh in his 1st season here. maybe he ends up reverting back to his old self in okc and we dodged a bullet

iHart is not a reliable player for most of the part... and even when he has a good game he takes many off plays... I dont care if thats because of his Achilles issues or a personality trait of him...

as for the passing, Randle is much better at all what he does on offense... you play Randle more at the high post when you play either small or with a rim running big or you play Randle at the low block when the other big is a stretch 5... same when you play small ball you can play him at the low block...

Randle
Anunoby
Bridges
X Factor
Brunson

[Besart19]

Yo guys

The last year on Hartenstein's deal with OKC is a TEAM OPTION!

What the hell. Why wouldn't he just stay with the Knicks on a fully guaranteed deal?

Something is up.

2 Years and 60mill. guaranteed vs. 4years/72mill. guaranteed. Pretty easy choice. If he even just maintains his current level of play he'll easily get 20mill. per year on his following deals where he'll be just 28years old. The money between us and OKC was not even close.

dont be so sure... he has chronic Achilles issues

[KnicksGadfly]

while i really wanted us to keep ihart, it is worth noting he only played very well in a contract year. he was pretty meh in his 1st season here. maybe he ends up reverting back to his old self in okc and we dodged a bullet

iHart is not a reliable player for most of the part... and even when he has a good game he takes many off plays... I dont care if thats because of his Achilles issues or a personality trait of him...

as for the passing, Randle is much better at all what he does on offense... you play Randle more at the high post when you play either small or with a rim running big or you play Randle at the low block when the other big is a stretch 5... same when you play small ball you can play him at the low block...

Randle
Anunoby
Bridges
X Factor
Brunson

You can't say this when Randle takes all of his defensive possessions off.

[Besart19]

while i really wanted us to keep ihart, it is worth noting he only played very well in a contract year. he was pretty meh in his 1st season here. maybe he ends up reverting back to his old self in okc and we dodged a bullet

iHart is not a reliable player for most of the part... and even when he has a good game he takes many off plays... I dont care if thats because of his Achilles issues or a personality trait of him...

as for the passing, Randle is much better at all what he does on offense... you play Randle more at the high post when you play either small or with a rim running big or you play Randle at the low block when the other big is a stretch 5... same when you play small ball you can play him at the low block...

Randle
Anunoby
Bridges
X Factor
Brunson

You can't say this when Randle takes all of his defensive possessions off.

but even with iHart you cant leave Randle on the bench... better 1 weak defender than 2

[3toheadmelo]

while i really wanted us to keep ihart, it is worth noting he only played very well in a contract year. he was pretty meh in his 1st season here. maybe he ends up reverting back to his old self in okc and we dodged a bullet

iHart is not a reliable player for most of the part... and even when he has a good game he takes many off plays... I dont care if thats because of his Achilles issues or a personality trait of him...

as for the passing, Randle is much better at all what he does on offense... you play Randle more at the high post when you play either small or with a rim running big or you play Randle at the low block when the other big is a stretch 5... same when you play small ball you can play him at the low block...

Randle
Anunoby
Bridges
X Factor
Brunson

You can't say this when Randle takes all of his defensive possessions off.

we were like the best defensive team in the league in january. what are you even talking about?

In 16 January games, the Knicks held opponents to 100.1 points per game. That’s the best defense in a month in terms of points per game since the Boston Celtics held opponents to 99.1 points in January of the 2021–22 season. The Knicks held opponents to 43.9 percent on field goal attempts and were the only team to give up less than 11 three-pointers per game. The 305 free throws they allowed were the sixth-lowest in the month.

[JayTWill]

No one will say it was about the money. It was about the money. This other stuff is ancillary.

Maybe it works out for him… maybe not.

He just told you what it was. I knew it wasnt about the money. It was CLEAR to me that he was not HAPPY.
Money doesn't equal happiness. Doesn't matter if its 1 million, 100k, 4 million, etc
Once you pass a certain level- the difference becomes "stuff". He lifestyle wont change much between the 34 million guaranteed and the 58 million guaranteed. Not to mention, he would have made a lot more money in New York.
He wanted to play basketball to his fullest. Period. Ihart has a love for the game.

Let me ask you something...what do you love the most in this world? and/or what gets you the most excited when you do it?


why didnt he take the money?

Read on Twitter

He couldn't have left for the money too? Why would OKC offer so much more money per year than New York if iHart simply just didn't want to be here. Orlando was another possible destination but I doubt they were offering this much per year. I had mentioned that his role was reduced here and I have always voiced my concerns with Thibs as a coach but how can we ignore $16M per year versus $29M per year especially if Ihart thought he had more to show in his game and could possibly get another big pay day in a few years?

OKC provided the ability to contend with a young team and the possibility of an expanded role and a better fit but money definitely made the decision to leave easier.

Still I don't think we can continue to ignore those polls about players not wanting to play for Thibs, his style and the brand of basketball that we see on the court. It's not exactly pretty or fun and it hasn't led to great postseason success in his career. The game has evolved. He hasn't. A Thibs team in 2010 looks almost exactly the same in 2024.

[FrozenEnvelope]

Martin left money and Spo?

[Jeffrey]

$58m vs $34m guaranteed for the first two years… few would turn that $24m down. That’s $12m per year. That difference is more than he’s earned in any year so far. Let that sink in. If the money was close, he’d stay. The money is not close.

Exactly, and we should leave him alone. To the people that says.. .well about your wife's modeling career. The man is about to make 12m more per year, they could get on a private jet anytime they want.

He's from Oregon and shes from Texas. I think they will be okay in OKC.

[FrozenEnvelope]

I think some of you forgot just how bad iHart was in the playoffs.

[Context]

No one will say it was about the money. It was about the money. This other stuff is ancillary.

Maybe it works out for him… maybe not.

He just told you what it was. I knew it wasnt about the money. It was CLEAR to me that he was not HAPPY.
Money doesn't equal happiness. Doesn't matter if its 1 million, 100k, 4 million, etc
Once you pass a certain level- the difference becomes "stuff". He lifestyle wont change much between the 34 million guaranteed and the 58 million guaranteed. Not to mention, he would have made a lot more money in New York.
He wanted to play basketball to his fullest. Period. Ihart has a love for the game.

Let me ask you something...what do you love the most in this world? and/or what gets you the most excited when you do it?


why didnt he take the money?

Read on Twitter

He couldn't have left for the money too? Why would OKC offer so much more money per year than New York if iHart simply just didn't want to be here. Orlando was another possible destination but I doubt they were offering this much per year. I had mentioned that his role was reduced here and I have always voiced my concerns with Thibs as a coach but how can we ignore $16M per year versus $29M per year especially if Ihart thought he had more to show in his game and could possibly get another big pay day in a few years?

OKC provided the ability to contend with a young team and the possibility of an expanded role and a better fit but money definitely made the decision to leave easier.

Still I don't think we can continue to ignore those polls about players not wanting to play for Thibs, his style and the brand of basketball that we see on the court. It's not exactly pretty or fun and it hasn't led to great postseason success in his career. The game has evolved. He hasn't. A Thibs team in 2010 looks almost exactly the same in 2024.

Watch on YouTube

@ the bold...the extra money was a bonus...I'll take extra money every day- but I wont take extra money and "settle" on being unhappy. Thibs is obviously not the old thibs as described by Joakin Noah. However, he needs to look at the Ihart situation,
look in the mirror and ask himself can he be better.

I love to play the game of basketball. And I would not enjoy the game if my play was limited.