The Oklahoma City Thunder are bringing back a pair of key reserves and bringing in a starting-caliber center, utilizing their cap space to add to a team that finished with the best record in the Western Conference.
Let’s start with the center. That would be none other than Isaiah Hartenstein, the former New York Knick who reportedly has agreed to a three-year contract worth $87 million with OKC. Hartenstein is coming off a career season and should fit seamlessly into a lineup that’s already fairly young and stacked.
In 75 regular season games (49 starts), Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks, shooting a sizzling 64.4% from the field.
Meanwhile, wing Isaiah Joe reportedly has agreed to a four-year, $48 million deal to remain with the Thunder; and shooting guard Aaron Wiggins will be back on a five-year, $47 million deal.
Basically, kudos to head of basketball operations Sam Presti. The Thunder have gotten even better on paper. That’s the case as a result of Hartenstein alone.
“He possesses all the qualities of a traditional big man that will fill the gaps OKC hoped to address but didn’t want to overcorrect,” wrote Joel Lorenzi of the Oklahoman. “Factor in Hartenstein’s abilities as a passer, and he checks off more boxes than most available centers.”
Given his strong play near the end of the regular season and in the playoffs, Hartenstein was one of the premier free agents on the market, too.
“The Thunder’s final figure might be a bit more than some expected, but it’s the price general manager Sam Presti was willing to pay to own more matchup versatility,” Lorenzi wrote. “It was the price he paid to land the Thunder’s most coveted — and certainly most lucrative — free agent signing in franchise history.”
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