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4 hours ago
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Former New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein recently appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, where he playfully teased a potential return to New York.
Hartenstein departed New York for the Oklahoma City Thunder after two seasons with the Knicks. He averaged 6.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in that span with New York. This past offseason, he signed a three-year, $87 million deal with the Thunder, where he just won his first NBA championship in his first season with the team.
Appaearing on the show, Hartenstein was asked by host Chris DiStefano what it would take for him to come back to New York, to which he jokingly responded that he would need to have the show’s side-host Guilllermo Rodridguez.
Additionally, DiStefano — a longtime Knicks fan — mentioned that he would have a hard time choosing between rooting for Hartenstein, and rooting for the Knicks in the hypothetical scenario that they matched up in the NBA Finals. Hartenstein jokingly refuted that statement.
“Why do you got to lie in front of the audience,” Hartenstein said. “You would've cussed me out, you would've been like ‘get up the court!’ You don't have to lie to people. I know I'm here, but just say you would've [cheered for the Knicks].
The Knicks and Hartenstein had mutual interest on a return in the offseason, but Oklahoma City came in with an offer that he simply couldn’t refuse. Despite his absence, many Knicks fans still hold an appreciation for Hartenstein and his time with the Knicks and would likely welcome him back with open arms.
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