Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein is the best backup big man in the NBA

The Knicks are trying to build some momentum into the holiday season to separate themselves from the Eastern Conference pack. If they succeed in making the playoffs for the second season in a row it would be the first time in a decade, cementing the Leon Rose era as possibly the most successful of the franchise’s last few decades.

There are plenty of praiseworthy moves to cite for the roster and culture that’s been built in his three years here, from committing to Julius Randle to acquiring Jalen Brunson in free agency. But maybe there’s not enough love for some of the smaller deals that glued this team together, such as signing Isaiah Hartenstein in 2022.

After a failed season running it back with Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson at the backup five, New York inked Hartenstein to a two-year, $16 million contract. He’s more than earned his money in that time, arguably playing some of the best bench big man basketball in the league.

Hartenstein’s Knicks career began shakily, as he looked awkward in the offensive scheme and tentative on both ends around the rim. However, it quickly clicked how he would excel in a Tom Thibodeau system: by doing the dirty work.

He completely bought into the rim-protecting, rebound-chasing five role Thibs needs out of his centers, and it made him a force. Hartenstein finished sixth in offensive rebounding rate last season, averaging nine points and 11.9 rebounds per-36 minutes on 53.5 percent shooting.

New York didn’t miss a beat whenever Hartenstein took over for Mitchell Robinson, even defensively. The Knicks held opponents to 112.6 points per 100 possessions with Robinson, and 110.2 with Hartenstein.

These trends have continued into this season. Hartenstein is attacking the offensive glass with ferocity, securing 15.4 percent of offensive boards, good for third in the league.

The Knicks have actually been much better defensively with Hartenstein on the court, allowing 104.5 points per 100 possessions compared to Robinson’s 110.4. This is more likely a result of who the two share time with, but still emphasizes the lack of drop off between the centers.

Hartenstein has stepped up in the games where Robinson has struggled or gotten into foul trouble. The home opener against Boston saw Hartenstein play 25 minutes and go 3-for-4 with eight rebounds in a wasted effort.

The highlight of the season was his crucial role in last week’s 21-point comeback win over the Miami Heat. His flying chasedown block in transition swung the momentum, and he did a great job on Bam Adebayo for the remainder of the evening, in no small part leading to the Knicks’ signature win of the year.

He’s gotten more comfortable within the flow of the offense, utilizing his passing more for outlets in transition and in the halfcourt. His chemistry with Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, two of the team’s most prolific off-ball movers, is building.

While Hartenstein may not have the individual talent displayed by some of the other backup bigs in the game like Bobby Portis or Onyeka Okongwu, his acceptance of his role and play within it makes him arguably as impactful, if not more. That the Knicks can rely on either two of their centers to reliably anchor their defense and outwork the competition is a major advantage -- one dating back to the construction of the surprise 2021 playoff team.

New York will want to retain that advantage and will have to re-sign Hartenstein this summer to do so. His contract expires this season, setting him up for unrestricted free agency, and perhaps enough of a bidding war for the Knicks to bow out.

There are teams that could conceivably offer Hartenstein the starting position with starter pay, two things the Knicks cannot match. If there aren’t, New York could be in better position to keep their man.

Whatever the outcome, fans should enjoy the Hartenstein show while it’s in town. Despite who grabs the headlines, this team wouldn’t be the same without him.