But with Hartenstein, the Knicks were limited to offering a max of four years, $72.5 million. The Thunder gave up three years, $87 million. The reason for New York’s restrictions was it originally signed Hartenstein to a two-year deal, so operated with only his partial Bird Rights. Oklahoma City signed him using straight cap space.

The first of two anticipated battles between the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder lived up to the hype, albeit in the latter's favor.