Without needing any extra help from Stephen A. Smith to help catapult his stock, Isaiah Hartenstein's play alone over the past two weeks has solidified his legitimacy as a starting center in this league. Over the past two weeks Hartenstein has averaged 7.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. In the most recent three games, these numbers have further increased to 11.6 points, 15 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game. Comparatively, before his season-ending injury, Mitchell Robinson was averaging 6.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Last month, as the trade deadline loomed, the Knicks recognized the urgency to swiftly secure the best possible deal for Immanuel Quickley. Had they not moved him prior to the deadline, it would have meant risking his departure to free agency without any compensation, or being compelled to pay him more than desired if they were to opt for matching another team's qualifying offer beyond the $25 million they could have offered him in September.
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