Isaiah Hartenstein apparently wants to forego his player option

Isaiah Hartenstein, Big Man of the Cleveland Cavaliers, apparently has no plans to pull his $ 1.7 million player option for the upcoming season. Michael Scotto explained this in the HoopHype-Podcast. The German had already indicated a similar procedure last.

According to Scotto, it is still likely that Hartenstein will stay in Cleveland. The 23-year-old is eligible to become a restricted free agent and could subsequently be held either through the qualifying offer or a long-term contract.

Hartenstein was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Cavs in March, since then he has put on 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in just 18 minutes in 16 games (2 of them as a starter). The team from Ohio finished the regular season with a record of 22-50 in 13th place in the east.

“Everything has been going well so far, I really can’t say what the future looks like, but I hope that we can negotiate a contract in the summer and that I can grow with the guys here. That would be a great experience,” said Hartenstein, who started 2017 43rd was drafted by the Houston Rockets.

Theis apparently calls for mid-level exception

He had previously been on the podcast Talkin’ Basketball made it clear that he has high expectations of himself: “I want to start consistently in the NBA, get better and better,” said Hartenstein: “When you talk about me that you say that I am one of the best centers in the NBA. That is my goal.”

Regarding Daniel Theis, another German center in the service of the Chicago Bulls, Scotto reported that the ex-Celtic was demanding a contract at least as high as the midlevel exception. This is about $ 9.5 million in the coming season. Theis would like to play for a team with a chance of success, but primarily wants to see regular playing time. Like Hartenstein, he was traded shortly before the deadline (stats for the Bulls: 23 games, 10.0 points, 5.9 rebounds).