In a surprising turn of events, Isaiah Hartenstein's stock has skyrocketed during the postseason, positioning him as one of the most sought-after centers in the upcoming NBA free agency market, according to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer. The 23-year-old New York Knicks big man has impressed with his performance, leading to speculation that he may command a contract in the range of $80-100 million.

While Brooklyn Nets' Nic Claxton has been considered the top option at the center position, recent reports suggest that Hartenstein could now challenge his status. Claxton is expected to receive a salary of at least $20-25 million annually. Fischer's sources indicate that Hartenstein's exceptional play has led to a belief among league executives that he could potentially receive a similar paycheck.

Despite Hartenstein's emergence, there are still question marks surrounding his potential destinations. The Oklahoma City Thunder have been mentioned as a possible landing spot, despite their established playing style, which seemingly contrasts with Hartenstein's skills. Nevertheless, his passing and screening abilities could bring a new dimension to the team, while his rebounding would undoubtedly bolster one of the league's weakest areas for the Thunder.

Hartenstein had previously almost signed with the Orlando Magic before joining the Knicks. However, with the emergence of Moritz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac's return to health, it remains uncertain if Orlando would still be a suitable fit for him. Fischer also highlights that the Detroit Pistons, along with their available cap room, have been linked to Hartenstein over the years, but it remains to be seen whether their new head of basketball operations, Trajan Langdon, shares the same interest or if the team is even in search of a center this summer.

In relation to Claxton's impending free agency, NBA personnel have long anticipated his stay with the Nets. If a deal between Claxton and the organization is reached prior to the start of free agency, it could potentially increase Hartenstein's bargaining power in the open market.

On another note, Jonas Valanciunas of the New Orleans Pelicans is also on track to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. However, league executives don't foresee a massive payday for the Lithuanian center, speculating that a deal in the range of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (approximately $12.9 million) may be more likely.

Meanwhile, sources claim that the Cleveland Cavaliers are not currently open to trade inquiries for any of their key players, including Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley. However, the situation could potentially change later in the offseason if Mitchell signs an extension, potentially prompting Garland to seek a change of scenery. The head of basketball operations, Koby Altman, has publicly stated that significant changes to the roster are not anticipated in the coming months.

As free agency approaches, it will be interesting to see which teams prioritize signing Isaiah Hartenstein, given his noteworthy postseason performance and the considerable interest he has generated in the market.