In the world of the NBA, every reinforcement on the interior can be the secret weapon of a team's championship. The Thunder have been busy lately, meeting with interior stalwart Hartenstein, while the Knicks have thrown out an enticing four-year, $72 million contract.
The Thunder have always been a weakness on the inside, and they are in desperate need of a strong center who can hold up the restricted area. And Hartenstein, the interior player who has excelled with the Knicks, seems to be the answer they were looking for. His rebounding, assist, and block stats are impressive, not to mention his whopping 64.4 percent shooting percentage.
As recently as July 1, according to Shams, the Thunder's meeting with Hartenstein was on the agenda. The addition of this free agent will be a new force on the Thunder's interior line. The Knicks clearly don't want to let go easily, and their four-year, $72 million contract is a great recognition of Hartenstein's ability.
The market value of Hartenstein has skyrocketed on the free market. Other teams are also watching in the shadows, ready to strike at any time. But the Thunder seem more confident that they believe Hartenstein can be a key piece of the puzzle on the team's interior.
The Thunder's reinforcement strategy has been in the spotlight. They knew that in order to stand out in the fierce competition of the West, they had to make a difference on the inside. The addition of Hartenstein will provide them with more tactical options and depth of play.
Hartenstein's decision became the focus of everyone's attention. Will he choose to stay with the Knicks and enjoy that lucrative contract, or join the Thunder and pursue higher honors? The suspense hung in the air until he finally agreed to a three-year, $87 million contract with the Thunder.
The addition of Hartenstein has brought new vitality to the Thunder. His toughness and flexibility on the inside will greatly enhance the team's defensive and offensive capabilities. And the Thunder are confident that the interior titan can help them go far.
In an era where the inside line is king, every jump and every block from Hartenstein could be the key to changing the game. The battle between the Thunder and the Knicks ended with the Thunder winning. And Hartenstein, the rising star on the inside, will start his new chapter with the Thunder.