Knicks Are Betting Favorites to Pick Polarizing Center Amid Isaiah Hartenstein Free Agency

The New York Knicks are currently the betting favorites to select Purdue center Zach Edey in the upcoming NBA Draft, with odds of +450 or an 18.2% implied probability. This speculation arises amid uncertainty surrounding the potential return of Isaiah Hartenstein to the Knicks roster. The Knicks hold the 24th (acquired from the Dallas Mavericks) and 25th overall selections in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

They are closely followed by the Washington Wizards (+500 odds, 16.7% implied probability) and the New Orleans Pelicans (+700, 12.5%) as potential landing spots for Edey. Zach Edey, the Purdue center, is considered a polarizing prospect, with his projected draft position varying significantly across different mock drafts. However, Edey has reportedly impressed several NBA teams with his serious and professional approach during interviews, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

Despite Edey’s positive impression on some teams, there are also concerns about his ability to space the floor effectively in the NBA. Givony notes that while Edey has supporters who believe he could be selected as early as the top 10, he also faces criticism from detractors, leading to a wide range of potential draft positions, potentially extending into the 20s, depending on how the draft unfolds.

Zach Edey Fits Tom Thibodeau’s Big Man Mold

The Canadian center posted impressive averages of 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks for Purdue, a team that was defeated by Connecticut in the national championship game. Edey embodies the archetype of a big man favored by Tom Thibodeau – a defensive stalwart who excels at rebounding in defensive schemes. His official measurements are remarkable: standing at 7 feet 5 inches in shoes, with a wingspan of 7 feet 11 inches and a standing reach of 9 feet 7 inches.

Kevin O’Connor from The Ringer predicts Edey to be selected at the 25th spot, while Gary Parrish of CBS Sports places him at number 24 in their mock drafts. In the event of Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure in free agency, Edey could potentially fill the void for the Knicks, providing a safety net for their frontcourt. The Knicks possess Hartenstein’s early Bird rights, enabling them to exceed the salary cap to retain him. However, this provision limits their offer to a maximum of four years and $72.5 million, as outlined by ESPN’s insider Bobby Marks.

Isaiah Hartenstein Open to Return if Knicks Match Offers

In an interview with Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto on April 5th, Isaiah Hartenstein expressed his willingness to remain with the New York Knicks if they match any offer he receives in free agency. “I know I’ve put myself in a great position to get a little upgrade. I love it here, and hopefully, we’ll figure something out, but at the end of the day, business is business,” Hartenstein told Hoopshype. Hartenstein is coming off a career year, playing a pivotal role in the Knicks’ playoff run. In 64 starts, including the postseason, he averaged impressive numbers of 9.1 rebounds, 8.6 points, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.

The 26-year-old German-American center has outperformed the two-year, $16 million contract he signed with the Knicks in the 2022 free agency period. Hartenstein could potentially benefit from the lack of starting-caliber big men available in the upcoming free agency market. With only Nic Claxton and Jonas Valanciunas considered the top centers set to hit free agency, the Knicks risk losing Hartenstein if another team offers him a lucrative deal in the range of $20 million per year.

Josh Hart Wants to Run It Back

Following the Knicks’ 130-109 loss in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs to the Indiana Pacers, Josh Hart expressed his desire to see the team’s core players return next season. Specifically, he mentioned the need for unrestricted free agents Isaiah Hartenstein and OG Anunoby to re-sign with the team.