Knicks covet Alperen Sengun and 2022 lottery pick to replace outgoing Isaiah Hartenstein: Report
The New York Knicks are left thin at the center position after the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein, a crucial piece in their playoff run last season. To replace him, they could be eyeing Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun or Detroit Pistons big man Jalen Duran, according to Marc Berman of the Palm Beach Post.
Hartenstein broke out in his second season with the Knicks, averaging 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 points per game with a 5.1 defensive rating. He filled the gap left by the injured Mitchell Robinson, who ended up missing the season after going down in early December and underwent ankle surgery in May.
In the playoffs, Hartenstein was unstoppable on the glass, averaging 3,8 offensive rebounds per game. His energy and ability to create second-chance points helped push the Knicks all the way to game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Knicks may look for more depth behind Robinson next season. Their current backups are Jericho Sims, who averaged 2.0 ppg and 3.3 rpg for them last season, and 2024 second-round draft pick Ariel Hakpurti, a 22-year-old from Germany.
Sengun appeared in 63 games for the Rockets last season before suffering a Grade 3 ankle sprain that sidelined him for the season. He was also having a breakout season in his third year, starting in each game and averaging 21.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg and 5.0 apg. The 2021 16th pick from Turkey turns 22 this summer. He was tied for fourth in the league for assists among all centers.
Jalen Duran, the 13th pick in the 2022 draft, averaged 13.8 ppg and 11.6 rpg last season for the league-worst Detroit Pistons. The 6-foot-10 Memphis product was fifth in the league in rebounding.
Josh Hart teases Isaiah Hartenstein for leaving Knicks
Isaiah Hartenstein's now-former Knicks teammate Josh Hart spoke on the big man's departure, joking that their friendship is now severed on his "Roommates" podcast with Jalen Brunson.
"He's dead to us," Hart said.
It was the second quip at Hartenstein since he signed with the Thunder. Hart responded to the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, acting glad that Hartenstein's now gone.
"I never liked you anyways," Hart tweeted. "But congrats on the bag!"
The Knicks couldn't match the offer made by Oklahoma City, coming up with a four-year, $72.4 million deal that paled in comparison to the three-year, $87 million per year contract from the Thunder, which came with $58.5 million guaranteed.