Knicks make Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson deals official
Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson reacts during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference Finals against Golden State in San Francisco on May 20. Credit: AP/Jed Jacobsohn
The Knicks finally put pen to paper, completing and announcing the signings of Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson Tuesday.
The free-agent acquisitions of Brunson and Hartenstein as well as bringing back their own free agent, Robinson, effectively completes the heavy lifting of the Knicks front office as they attempt to get the team back on track after backsliding last season and struggling to a 37-45 record.
“We are beyond thrilled to add Jalen Brunson to our roster,” Knicks president Leon Rose said in a statement. “He’s a competitor, a leader, a playmaker, and most importantly, a winner. His addition is a perfect complement to the team we are building and the culture we are establishing.”
“I’m super excited to be a Knick,” Brunson said in a video shot by the team at his signing. “I can’t wait to get started. I’ll see you at the Garden soon.”
Brunson will slot as a much-needed step up in the starting point guard role. Departing the Dallas Mavericks for the Knicks as an unrestricted free agent, Brunson arrives on a four-year, $104 million deal to serve as a leader on the floor and maybe off, too.
“They’re getting somebody who creates his own shot,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. “Amazing mid-range game. Ninth in the league in taking charges. Great guy. Great in the locker room. Great in the community. Supported the organization. A good kid.”
The Knicks have been seeking a standout point guard for most of their history since Walt Frazier was traded in 1977. In the first two seasons of this front office and coaching staff the opening night point guards were Elfrid Payton and Kemba Walker — both currently looking for work with Payton a free agent and Walker negotiating a buyout with the Pistons.
Brunson, after winning a pair of national championships at Villanova entered the NBA as a second-round pick by the Mavericks, doubters pointing out his size (6-1 without shoes) and lack of high-flying athleticism. But year by year Brunson has proved that just as he did in college, he contributes to winning.
Last season he averaged 16.3 points per game and stepped up his performance when Luka Doncic was sidelined by injury in the postseason. He put up three consecutive games of 24, 41 and 31 points in the opening round series against Utah.
Hartenstein is likely going to serve as the second-team center but unlike last season when Robinson, Nerlens Noel and Jericho Sims all possessed a similar style and skill set, Hartenstein will allow the Knicks to change their style with his ability to pass from the perimeter. Even if he didn’t utilize it often until late in the season with the Clippers, he can shoot from beyond the arc.
“We’re very excited to welcome Isaiah Hartenstein to the Knicks family,” Rose said. “He’s a versatile big man who impacts the game on both ends of the floor and who plays with a passion and energy that is contagious.”
Hartenstein, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal, has gone through four teams in four seasons before joining the Knicks but took a step forward with the Clippers, averaging 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 17.9 minutes per game.
Robinson would seem an easy choice to return, a young and improving starting center at a reasonable price. But as an unrestricted agent the Knicks had a limit on how high they would go to retain him. With a four-year, $60 million deal they may have gone higher than any competitors would, but still far from the sort of money being thrown at top players. After an injury-plagued 2020-21 season Robinson played in 72 games last season.
“We are ecstatic that Mitchell Robinson, a key member of our foundation, has signed a long-term extension,” Rose said in another statement. “He’s our defensive anchor, our rim protector, and someone our organization has seen grow tremendously both on and off the court over the last four seasons.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
