The Oklahoma City Thunder made its first-ever free agency splash Monday morning, signing former New York Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstien to a three-year, $87 million deal.
Hartenstein’s role is unclear at this point. Still, regardless of whether he slides into the starting lineup or comes off the bench, he is one of the league’s best defensive centers and is a solid offensive player who is a high-level passer and a mid-range threat with a vast array of floaters.
Hartenstein is also one of the league’s best rebounders and is sure to be a massive asset to an OKC team that was one of the league’s worst in that department last season.
The sticker shock on Hartenstein’s deal may turn off some fans, but it was reported by Stefan Bondy of the New York Post that the deal is descending, meaning Hartenstein will have his highest cap hit during the 2024-25 season, and that the final year is not fully guaranteed.
OKC’s track record suggests that barring he disappoints, he is likely to remain in OKC past the end of this contract, but Sam Presti made sure to give his team maximum cap flexibility down the road when Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are likely to be on max deals.
Signing Hartenstein to a huge deal, and signing Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe to long-term, team-friendly deals this morning made Monday a massive day for OKC. It likely completed its noteworthy moves this offseason barring an unforeseen event.
The Thunder has one roster spot remaining, and it could still use someone in the 6’7-6’9 range on the wing, but if OKC goes into this season with a roster that won 57 games last season, and then added Alex Caruso and Hartenstein, expectations will be through the roof, and rightfully so.
Hartstein immediately becomes the biggest free agent signing in OKC team history, and he comes at the perfect time. The win-now moves of Caruso and Hartenstein officially put OKC on the clock in a way it hasn’t been since 2016.
This is a day to celebrate OKC finally adding a noteworthy free agent, but when the season starts, the pressure cooker is officially on for this young Thunder team.
