The Knicks went all-in this offseason. Coming off back-to-back Eastern Conference Semi-Final appearances, they doubled down on their core and leveraged all their draft assets to bring in more talent. The front office re-signed OG Anunoby, traded for Mikal Bridges, brought in Cameron Payne, and re-signed Precious Achiuwa. Hopes are high in the Garden, and a faltering franchise has risen back up amongst the true contenders in the NBA. They enter this season with the highest expectations since the Carmelo Anthony years almost a decade ago.
Answering CBS Sports’ Biggest Question for the Knicks
In its biggest questions for the Atlantic Division, CBS Sports asked, “How much will the Knicks miss Isaiah Hartenstein?”
Hartenstein’s Impact
In the 49 regular-season games Hartenstein started in, he averaged 8.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 66/0/74 shooting splits. He was a dominant force on the boards, averaging 3.4 offensive rebounds per game. When he was on the court, the Knicks’ offense scored 122.4 points per 100 possessions (94th percentile league-wide). Hartenstein had an element to his game that Robinson lacked. He had the finesse to finish around the rim, but his shooting touch from the mid-range (especially on his floaters) meant that other teams couldn’t leave him open even outside the paint. Additionally, he was an above-average passer at his position and had a 52nd-percentile assist rate. His decent free-throw rate meant teams couldn’t “hack” him and send him to the line in clutch games because he knocked them down.
While he wasn’t a great shot blocker like Mitchell Robinson, Hartensteins had an 89th percentile block percent. Purely through estimated plus-minus, Hartenstein was the second most impactful defender in the league. He had a defensive number of +3.9, only lower than Jonathan Isaac. The Knicks had a great defense when he played, allowing only 111.8 points per 100 possessions. He was one of their most consistent starters in the second half of the season and held the defense despite the losses of Anunoby and Randle.
How Much Will the Knicks Miss Isaiah Hartenstein?
A fair amount.
His offensive versatility and skill will be missed, and the Knicks do not have a backup that rivals his skillset. Robinson is far from ideal in clutch moments, and his horrendous free-throw percentage makes him a huge liability.
At the same time, adding so much talent means New York should not be in a similar spot as last season. Hartenstein’s increased role was a byproduct of various injuries, and lack of depth meant he had to do more. Even as a starter, he averaged under 30 minutes a game.
Adding Bridges gives the Knicks two elite wing-defenders who can play as forwards while Julius Randle shifts to center. Randle, at six-foot-eight, is definitely on the smaller end, but we saw Anunoby lock down Joel Embiid in the postseason last year. The Knicks can roll out a Warriors-esque death lineup and play small ball. Achiuwa also gives the Knicks another option to roll out, and while he’s not Robinson defensively (or even close), he’s miles ahead on the offensive side.
The Last Word On the Knicks
This shapes up to be a very promising season for the Knicks. They have elite depth at every position except center, arguably the most top-heavy position in the league. Robinson’s health is a big concern, and Jericho Sims’ development is also pending. But Leon Rose has shown fans his willingness to make big moves, and if he doesn’t like the roster, he will do something.
