Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti vows to bring back free agents over the summer, including Isaiah Hartenstein, who’s proven his worth in his first two seasons. Hartenstein was a constant torn to the side of All-Star Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in this year’s Western Conference Finals. The shorthanded Thunder came up short in losing Game 7 to the Spurs. However, Isaiah played well against Wembanyama.
Before the 2025 champion Thunder looks to regain its position over the Spurs as the best team in the Western Conference in 2026-27, Hartenstein is reportedly expected to stay put, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
“Starting center Isaiah Hartenstein has a $28.5 million team option for the upcoming season,” Scotto said. “He’s expected to remain in Oklahoma City. The question among executives around the league is whether the Thunder will exercise their team option or decline it and work out a new multi-year deal at a lower average annual salary.”
To avoid losing him to restricted free agency, Isaiah Hartenstein and the Thunder should try to ink him to a long-term deal ahead of the upcoming season. Plus, with the $28.5 million option for the 2026-27 season, Oklahoma City could restructure a three-year deal so that the Thunder won’t have to pay him close to $30 million for one season.
Isaiah Hartenstein expected to return to Thunder for 2026-27
Thunder starting center Isaiah Hartenstein found a new home in Oklahoma City. He helped lead them to their first championship in franchise history. Then, without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, Hartenstein helped limit Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, and he’s continued to improve on both ends of the floor.
Bringing Hartenstein back one way or another is an expected priority, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Tim MacMahon.
“There is a strong anticipation among team and league sources that Hartenstein will be back in Oklahoma City next season, whether the Thunder choose to pick up his team option or the sides agree to an extension,” Slater and MacMahon said. “With Wembanyama and the Spurs looming as a long-term rival, it would be a significant step in the wrong direction for the Thunder to thin out their big man depth, especially after Hartenstein had some success defending Wembanyama during the West finals.”
Hartenstein averaged 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Thunder last season.
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