After the Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 1 defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, it could have been easy to panic. It also could've been easy for Mark Daigneault, as deep as his rotation goes, to make radical adjustments in an effort to try to stem the tide of Victor Wembanyama's wrath.
This would've, in a way, been a reasonable reaction. Wembanyama posted an absurd 41 points, 24 rebounds, and three blocks across 48 minutes on the court in Game 1. Much as the Thunder tried, they truly had no answer for him. Isaiah Hartenstein, who Oklahoma City has routinely turned to as a starter when he's been healthy this season, was essentially played off the floor.
But Daigneault stuck to what's worked all season in Game 2, and the Thunder came away with a victory because of it. After much speculation about what Hartenstein's role in this series would be, Daigneault started him anyway. Hartenstein more than warranted that choice, posting a massive 10 points and 13 rebounds while managing to limit Wembanyama relative to his Game 1 performance.
With that decision, Daigneault did more than change the overall tone of the series. He made clear to Hartenstein just how important he is to the Thunder's overall gameplan and rotational flexibility.
Isaiah Hartenstein can't be allowed to depart this offseason, if it proves at all possible to keep him
Hartenstein's impact for the Thunder doesn't come through the box score. It comes through his ability to play staunch interior defense and make the right plays when he needs to, allowing Chet Holmgren to float more freely on both ends of the court. That's been true all season, and it was true in Game 2 against San Antonio.
But Oklahoma City will have to make a choice this offseason. They have extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren kicking in, and they'll be facing harsh second-apron penalties if they don't shed salary. All three of Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort, and Kenrich Williams have team options this offseason.
Hartenstein's $28 million option will represent the most difficult decision out of the three.
On the surface, Hartenstein's nine points and nine rebounds are replaceable. The Thunder have a young center waiting in the wings in Thomas Sorber, and they could likely add someone at a much cheaper rate to complement Holmgren as he continues to develop.
If the financial situation dictates it this offseason, the Thunder will have no choice other than to let Hartenstein walk in free agency or try to move him in a trade.
But Daigneault's bold strategy in Game 2 of leaving Hartenstein on Wembanyama proved just how irreplaceable the eighth-year center truly is. They'll do everything within their power to try to keep him this offseason.
Add us as a preferred source on Google