The OKC Thunder saw a major uptick in their three-point shooting frequency last season, as they finished 10 in the league in attempts per game at 38.8, a notable increase from their 16-ranked averages in 2023-24.
Now, during their upcoming title defense campaign, it appears members of the ball club are already suggesting they're looking to put even more emphasis on upping the team's offensive production, with guys like Cason Wallace noting during NBA Media Day that he's aiming to be "stronger" and more aggressive on this end of the floor.
While these comments from the guard alone should be enough to excite Oklahoma City fans, Isaiah Hartenstein recently suggested that he, too, could get more involved in the scoring department, which undoubtedly warrants attention heading into training camp.
Thunder big Isaiah Hartenstein hints he could shoot more three-pointers
Though best known as a sturdy and highly physical paint dweller who gravitates toward post-ups and close-range push shots when looking to score, Hartenstein may be eyeing more attempts from beyond the arc in his second season out in the Sooner State.
During Monday's festivities, the big man was asked by reporters whether fans should expect him to hoist up more three-point attempts in 2025-26, a question he quickly answered, "I hope so."
To this point in his career, I-Hart has by no means established himself as an efficient long-range shooter.
Since entering the league back in 2018, the center has attempted just 106 shots from distance, making just 27 of them (translates to a 25.5 percent shooting clip).
During his debut season with the Thunder in 2024-25, he shot just 19 times from deep, missing every one of said attempts.
However, despite this lackluster statistical track record throughout his soon-to-be eight-year professional career, Hartenstein has, in fact, shown a respectable mid-range shooting stroke, even finishing with a clip of 51.0 percent in the 10- to 16-foot range last year.
Thanks to surfaced workout videos from earlier this offseason, many are well aware that the 27-year-old has been in the gym honing his skills on the offensive side of the ball. Specific footage even showed him working on his shot from beyond the arc alongside Chet Holmgren.
Last year, the Thunder found themselves regularly rolling out a primary starting lineup with four players who could space the floor in the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Holmgren.
Now, heading into this coming season, it seems like Hartenstein could join his running mates out past the three-point line, allowing the Thunder the ability to run a five-out offensive scheme more frequently which, considering the rate they drive the lane, could benefit them by both creating more long-range scoring looks and unclogging the paint, allowing for clearer paths to the rim.