OKC Thunder Isaiah Hartenstein has enjoyed a successful two years in Bricktown. As a result, he signed a three-year, $75 million contract extension this summer, a lofty number, but a "hometown" discount of sorts given the rest of the center market.
IHart leads an impressively deep center position, which includes backup Jaylin Williams, Chet Holmgren on occasion, and two unproven (but promising) rookies in Aday Mara and Thomas Sorber. Holmgren and Williams seem to have already solidified their roles, but the two youngsters remain a mystery heading into the new season.
Lately, though, teammates have been singing Mara's name, and it could cost Hartenstein the job he seemingly loves so much if he's not careful. Kenrich Williams was the latest to gush over Isaiah's positional competitor.
"I really like Big Fella. Big Spain is what I call him. I like Aday. I think that he has the potential to be a first-team, second-team All-Defensive guy," Williams said after a recent practice.
Aday Mara has tools Isaiah Hartenstein will never acquire
Because it's clear Mara is of no immediate threat to Hartenstein's playing time, their many resemblances to each other are lost among fans and pundits.
Both centers are big-bodied defensive specialists who possess above-average floor vision with the ball in their hands at the top of the key. Neither one poses as a real scoring threat on the perimeter, but both make up for it with a high basketball IQ and a mammoth presence on the defensive end.
Hartenstein, now entering year nine, is obviously the more polished of the two, but Mara has a ceiling that Isaiah could never achieve. Because the Spaniard is 7'4", he has the potential to be an even more lethal defender than Hartenstein. The latter, by the way, has never made an All-Defensive NBA team. If Mara were to earn such honors as Kenrich Williams predicted, he would immediately set himself above the rest of the Thunder frontcourt.
Thunder have clear reason to be rooting for Aday Mara's development
Not only could Mara turn into a better version of Hartenstein, but it's in the Thunder's best interest for that scenario to play out. The veteran is set to make $25 million this year. Meanwhile, Mara will make $5.8 million.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's supermax deal kicking in starting next season, GM Sam Presti will need all the financial wiggle room he can find in order to keep the team competitive.
OKC would love to have a cheaper, younger, and bigger version of Isaiah Hartenstein in their starting five, as it would help them retain more depth over the next few years. Hartenstein, deemed essential this offseason and thus signed for another three years, might not be so irreplaceable in a few short years. A lot can change from season to season in the NBA, and Hartenstein could find himself looking for a new home very soon if Mara becomes the interior monster some of his teammates think he could be.
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