Isaiah Hartenstein demonstrated what the role could be at its peak. The job as the Knicks’ backup center — at the time occupying the spot behind an injury-prone Mitchell Robinson on the depth chart — could serve as a launchpad to an $87 million deal in free agency. To pricing out of the Knicks’ maximum offer due to the early Bird rights.

But with Hartenstein, the Knicks were limited to offering a max of four years, $72.5 million. The Thunder gave up three years, $87 million. The reason for New York’s restrictions was it originally signed Hartenstein to a two-year deal, so operated with only his partial Bird Rights. Oklahoma City signed him using straight cap space.

Towns earned 1.1 million votes, the third-highest amount in the Eastern Conference behind Boston Celtics champion Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. His teammate, who plays in a big market like New York, noticed the difference.

It was a happy return to Manhattan for Isaiah Hartenstein, whose Oklahoma City Thunder dismantled the Knicks by a 126-101 final on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. The Western Conference-leading Thunder earned a two-game sweep of the Knicks after previously prevailing in a 117-107 home win last weekend.

The Knicks brought a nine-game winning streak into Friday night's game against Isaiah Hartenstein's Thunder and Oklahoma City had won 13 in a row.

The New York Knicks knew that trading for stars like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges would be a massive gamble while moving on from several key stalwarts from last season's playoff run. The point of gambling, though, is the chance to come out as a big winner.

For one night only, New York Knicks fans got to cheer for Isaiah Hartenstein en route to a win at Madison Square Garden again. Hartenstein nostalgics were the o

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein will be re-evaluated in approximately one week after he suffered a left soleus strain against the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday night,