The Memphis Grizzlies are looking for a new starting center to join star Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt rotation, and pursuing New York Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstein was suggested a few weeks ago as a viable option.
Given his low-profile name recognition and unique skill set, some, such as the Commercial Appeal’s beat reporter Damichael Cole, saw him as someone who “checks a lot of boxes” for the franchise and, at only 26 years old, “fits the timeline” that this current Grizzlies team is on.
Of course, this was before his postseason breakout with the Knicks began, as he went on to serve as a driving force in their two-round trip with both his play and captivating intensity, finishing the 2024 playoffs with impressive averages of 8.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and just shy of a block per game on 59.2 percent shooting from the floor and 50.0 percent from deep.
With his performance, he not only strengthened Cole’s belief that he could be a good fit in Memphis’ frontcourt rotation, but he also priced himself out of the franchise’s budget, as recent reports indicate that the impending free agent’s next payday could be quite large.
Isaiah Hartenstein priced himself out of price-range for Grizzlies
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, current forecasts indicate that the big man “will be able to draw at least $80 million, and perhaps upwards of $100 million.”
ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN 😤😤😤
17 Rebounds
7 Punkte
5 Assists pic.twitter.com/CznjWWgHaP— NBA Germany (@NBA_de) May 15, 2024
Even when Cole initially praised Hartenstein’s good match with the Grizzlies, he noted that making the numbers work could be a challenge, given that he had just finished his career regular season with 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game.
With his excellent performance in the playoffs for New York, however, this previously mentioned concern has become more evident than ever, thereby removing him as a feasible offseason target Zach Kleiman and company could pursue.
