May 17, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) holds the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends during game six of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein officially signed a multi-year contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
The Thunder did not release contract details, but according to multiple reports earlier this week, the deal is for three seasons and $87 million.
A journeyman to start his NBA career, the 26-year-old Hartenstein joins his sixth team since entering the league as a second-round pick of the Houston Rockets in 2017.
He was a reserve for the Knicks last season before Mitchell Robinson was lost to an ankle injury. Hartenstein started 49 of his 75 games and averaged 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds last season.
In 322 games (61 starts) over six seasons with the Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and Knicks, Hartenstein has averaged 6.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
CLAXTON RE-SIGNS WITH NETS
Center Nic Claxton officially signed his reported four-year, $100 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that was reached June 26. A total of $96 million reportedly is guaranteed.
Claxton, 25, recorded career highs for the Nets in 2023-24 in rebounds (9.9) and assists (2.1) while scoring 11.8 points per game, the second-best average of his career.
He’s also shown durability the past two seasons, missing a total of 17 games after injuries being a concern early in his career.
Claxton appeared in a total of 94 games over his first three seasons.
LOVE RETURNS TO HEAT
Forward Kevin Love officially signed a one-year, $8 million deal to return to the Heat after declining his $4 million option for next season.
Love, who turns 36 in September, was a valuable role player for the Heat last season. He averaged 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds over 16.8 minutes in 55 games (five starts).
A five-time All-Star, Love won an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015-16 season.
Love has career averages of 16.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 929 games (684 starts) with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2008-14), Cavaliers (2014-23) and Heat.
TEMPLE RETURNS TO RAPTORS
Guard/forward Garrett Temple signed a one-year deal to return to the Toronto Raptors after he averaged 3.3 points with 1.7 rebounds in 27 games (two starts) last season, his first in Canada.
Financial terms of Temple’s deal were not announced with reports indicating it is worth $3.3 million.
In 15 NBA seasons, primarily as a reserve player, the 38-year-old Temple has averaged 6.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in 743 games (289 starts) with 12 different teams.
–Field Level Media
