By the end of the 2026 NBA playoffs, Isaiah Hartenstein turned himself from a luxury to an essential. The Oklahoma City Thunder had learned through their two seasons together that they had to figure something out this summer. Before he could even test the open waters, they extended their marriage.
Ripping apart his $28.5 million 2026-27 team option, the Thunder awarded Hartenstein a three-year, $75 million contract. He's now in OKC through the 2028-29 season. At least, theoretically. The final year is a mutual option. It provides the seven-footer with some sense of financial security and control over his future.
In his two seasons, Hartenstein has been a grand-slam addition. He helped the Thunder win the 2025 NBA championship as a prominent starter. He almost helped them win another one in their back-to-back ambitions that fell just short. In his time in OKC, he's averaged 10.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 ***** ists.
Safe to say that both the Thunder and Hartenstein have been ecstatic since his arrival. For OKC, it finally added a traditional center who allows Chet Holmgren to play power forward. He's also single-handedly fixed their rebounding woes and gives them a legitimate screen-setter and lob threat. Something this iteration of the team has never had before.
And for Hartenstein, he's enjoyed his best years and some stability. Before he joined OKC, he was a career journeyman trying to find his footing in the NBA. But the Thunder have given him creative freedoms that his previous stops didn't allow. The seven-footer's playmaking has been on full display. He's served as an offensive hub. He's also averaged a double-double.
#thunder #something #option
Ripping apart his $28.5 million 2026-27 team option, the Thunder awarded Hartenstein a three-year, $75 million contract. He's now in OKC through the 2028-29 season. At least, theoretically. The final year is a mutual option. It provides the seven-footer with some sense of financial security and control over his future.
In his two seasons, Hartenstein has been a grand-slam addition. He helped the Thunder win the 2025 NBA championship as a prominent starter. He almost helped them win another one in their back-to-back ambitions that fell just short. In his time in OKC, he's averaged 10.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 ***** ists.
Safe to say that both the Thunder and Hartenstein have been ecstatic since his arrival. For OKC, it finally added a traditional center who allows Chet Holmgren to play power forward. He's also single-handedly fixed their rebounding woes and gives them a legitimate screen-setter and lob threat. Something this iteration of the team has never had before.
And for Hartenstein, he's enjoyed his best years and some stability. Before he joined OKC, he was a career journeyman trying to find his footing in the NBA. But the Thunder have given him creative freedoms that his previous stops didn't allow. The seven-footer's playmaking has been on full display. He's served as an offensive hub. He's also averaged a double-double.
#thunder #something #option
8 days ago
