Donte Divincenzo only played one season with Isaiah Hartenstein, but the two quickly paid tribute to each other.
This offseason, the New York Knicks have created more than a significant share of the roster to solidify their position as a contender in the NBA Finals race. They traded for the towns of Mikal Bridges and Karl Anthony, finishing third in the Eastern Conference, but sacrificed fan favorites.
To add a town, the Knicks had to say goodbye to sharp guard Donte Divinsenzo.
The Knicks also failed to re-sign free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein, which broke out last season after Mitchell Robinson suffered an ankle injury. Hartenstein will be playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season and continues to improve as an important role player.
Divincenzo and Hartenstein took away their talent and refined them with their new team, but they have the ultimate respect for each other, despite not being teammates anymore.
The Knicks’ core during their playoff push last season were Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, but they played a massive role, if not overlooked.
The two teammates were barely stars, but they managed to bring out the best from each other.
Last season, Hartenstein and Divincenzo recorded a +7.1 net rating. This is suitable for the Knicks’ second-best two-man lineup to end the season.
Divincenzo is a much better shooter, and Hartenstein was able to make the most of playing as a sniper, but only Hartenstein and Josh Hart got better because of the rebounding skill Hart added.
“You can go back last year and see a lot of mine. I did a lot from Dho with Isaiah. A lot of my cuts were off from him. He really wants to pass the ball.” Young man and three Podcast.
When you think of NBA role players, hard nose defenders like Alex Caruso and Derrick White come to mind. Microwave scorers like Jordan Clarkson are either popular options or even enforcers like Draymond Green.
Looking at the stats sheet, Hartenstein’s season average is solid at 11.4 points and 11.1 rebounds, but Ivica Zubac has better statistics, $17 million less than Hartenstein’s Will this season.
However, his teammates know that he will affect the game well beyond his box score.
“He gets to exactly where he wants to go, knows his game, knows his comfort zone,” Divincenzo listed.
“What he allows everyone else to do around him makes it possible for everyone else to be offensive and use him as a screener, roller, rebounder, and he’s just playing free basketball.”
On top of that, Hartenstein’s trick to creating a second possession is to raise his team.
“Isaiah goes for an offensive rebound every time. It’s worn on the team when you go every time, it’s worn on you,” Divincenzo finished.
After becoming his second pick, Hartenstein played his first five seasons in the game in under 20 minutes, but he signed a three-year, $87 million contract to win the title and signed a $87 million deal to his favorites.