In a surprising turn of events, the New York Knicks are facing an uphill battle to keep their key big man, Isaiah Hartenstein, on the roster for the upcoming NBA season. The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has presented several obstacles for the Knicks in their efforts to retain Hartenstein, making it a challenging task.

Hartenstein's journey to becoming a Knick was marked by a fortuitous quirk in the CBA. Three years ago, as a journeyman player who had previously played for the Rockets, Nuggets, and Cavaliers, Hartenstein struggled to find another NBA contract until just weeks before the start of the 2021 training camp. Eventually, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

During his lone season with the Clippers, Hartenstein experienced a breakout success, particularly excelling as a rim-protector off the bench behind Ivica Zubac. Ideally, the Clippers would have re-signed him and kept him in that crucial role. However, due to his limited value in the league at the time, Hartenstein could only secure a one-year deal from the Clippers.

Fast forward to the present, and history seems to be repeating itself. Hartenstein has become an integral part of the Knicks' lineup, with his exceptional rim-protection skills and rebounding contributing significantly to the team's identity. Additionally, his offensive capabilities in terms of floaters, screening, and passing have made him a valuable asset on that end of the court as well. The Knicks have indeed found a major free-agent steal in Hartenstein, just like the Clippers before them.

Unfortunately, the Knicks now face the daunting task of retaining Hartenstein. The limitations imposed by the CBA regarding Hartenstein's previous value in the league have hindered their ability to offer him a competitive contract. As the Knicks only signed him for a two-year deal, they now only have Early Bird Rights, preventing them from offering him a contract that starts at more than 175% of his previous salary, or approximately $16.2 million next season.

The question remains whether this will be enough to keep Hartenstein on the team. At the age of 26, Hartenstein is still a young player on the rise. However, non-shooting centers often struggle to secure fair contracts in the open market. Currently, only 15 centers in the NBA are earning more than the maximum amount the Knicks can offer him.

Market conditions for free-agents negotiations also play a significant role in determining Hartenstein's potential suitors. Among the teams positioned to create significant cap space this summer, only the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs may have the financial means to offer a lucrative deal to Hartenstein. However, both teams have their limitations and other pressing needs to address.

If big-money offers are not on the table for Hartenstein, the Knicks would likely offer him the best deal within their legal limits. This could potentially amount to a four-year contract worth around $72.5 million. However, Hartenstein may also consider a shorter-term deal with a player-option on the second year, allowing him to re-enter free agency with full Bird Rights in the following summer.

Ultimately, the Knicks understand Hartenstein's value to the team and witnessed his impact firsthand during the postseason. With concerns about Mitchell Robinson's durability, the Knicks heavily rely on their centers, making Hartenstein even more vital to their success. However, meeting his desired salary demands will be a challenging task for the franchise.

As the NBA free agency approaches, the Knicks will undoubtedly put forth their best efforts to retain Isaiah Hartenstein in an uphill battle against the limitations imposed by the collective bargaining agreement and potential competitors in the market.