But with Hartenstein, the Knicks were limited to offering a max of four years, $72.5 million. The Thunder gave up three years, $87 million. The reason for New York’s restrictions was it originally signed Hartenstein to a two-year deal, so operated with only his partial Bird Rights. Oklahoma City signed him using straight cap space.

"You don’t really know the true ability or unselfishness of a player until you are teammates," Josh Hart said. "In LA with the Clippers, he was solid. But he got to New York and played a style and brand of basketball that Thibs loves. And then his personality – he was a great locker room guy for us. Unselfish."