Though the OKC Thunder may have been best known for their tantalizing defensive attack that ranked first in the league in defensive rating last season, their offensive punch didn't fall too far behind.
Considering they ranked seventh in field goal percentage, fourth in points per game, and third in overall offensive rating, the numbers only seem to back up this sentiment.
However, despite this already impressive efficiency, there's undoubtedly still room for improvement in a number of areas on the more glamorous side of the ball.
One way, in particular, that could help them level up during the upcoming 2025-26 campaign is by utilizing the underrated passing abilities of big man, Isaiah Hartenstein, on a more frequent basis.
Thunder should look to use Isaiah Hartenstein more in passing game
While most may look to Chet Holmgren as the elite offensive contributor in the club's twin tower tandem, to a more discreet degree, Hartenstein is also a major plus on this end of the floor due, in large part, to his distribution skills.
Out of those who logged 50 or more games last season, the 27-year-old ranked third on the team in assists per 100 possessions (6.5), third in on-off assists (16.2), and fourth in on-off points (69.6).
Though by no means the kind of passer that Nikola Jokic is, having I-Hart in tow could allow the Thunder to run offensive sets with the 7-footer operating as the overseer of the floor in a similar way the Nuggets do.
Frequently, Jokic will receive the ball at the top of the key or near the foul line, with his four teammates roaming off the ball and creating space for an easy catch-and-shoot opportunity.
Such a strategy could be quite beneficial for Oklahoma City to adopt with Hartenstein as the handler, for not only has he admitted to learning a lot from the Joker back during his half-season stint serving as his backup in Denver during the 2020-21 season, but also because the Thunder are one of the most efficient catch-and-shoot teams in the entire league, ranking fourth in effective field goal percentage and three-point percentage in such sets.
Now, of course, this is not to say that coach Mark Daigneault should be actively looking to take the ball out of the hands of isolation extortioners like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
However, when considering the fact that OKC only ranked a middling 12 in assists per game last year (26.9), some more spreading of the wealth would be more than welcome, especially during times when the aforementioned stars need a bit of help.
Though it may sound a bit odd on the surface, having Hartenstein be more utilized in the passing game in 2025-26 could prove to be a shakeup that could bring the entire offense to a completely new level.