While many have already deemed it a forgone conclusion that Isaiah Hartenstein is playing out his final season with the OKC Thunder, Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus finds himself singing a drastically different tune.
In a recent piece ranking the league's top 30 impending free agents, the national NBA writer listed I-Hart sixth overall, and hinted that many opposing teams in need of big man help "could try to steal him away."
However, in Pincus' assessment of the 27-year-old, while he agreed with the widespread belief that his club option for 2026-27 should be opted out of to help Oklahoma City duck under the dreaded second apron, he suggested that the team may look to "pre-negotiate a multi-year deal at a lower starting number" prior to making this kind of decision to extend his Sooner State tenure.
Opting out of Isaiah Hartenstein deal isn't death knell for Thunder tenure
By declining Hartenstein's $28.5 million option for next season, the Thunder will automatically put themselves under the second apron threshold.
To many, it is believed that the act of doing so will lead to the big man's ouster from the Sooner State.
Pincus doesn't necessarily see it that way, however, which, frankly, is a breath of fresh air.
Since joining OKC back in the summer of 2024, Hartenstein has established himself as a beloved fixture in the team's championship DNA.
During their title-winning campaign a season ago, with the veteran on the floor, Oklahoma City ranked in the 95 percentile in point differential at plus-12.1 and the 96 percentile in opponent points per 100 possessions with 106.8, while raising the club's rebound percentage to a team-best 51.7 (minimum 50 games played).
Here in year two, these aforementioned metrics have only risen to plus-13.7, 106.1, and 52.9, respectively, while he ranks fourth on the top-seeded Thunder in plus-minus at plus-7.4.
From his rebounding skills and underrated distributing abilities to his rock-wall screens, it's undeniable that Hartenstein has become a true difference-maker who fits in perfectly alongside OKC's Big-Three of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and, when he's healthy, Jalen Williams.
If it weren't for his current pay scale, with his play style and still rather enviable age, there would be zero questions about whether the pivot should be viewed as part of the Thunder's long-term nucleus.
Fortunately, Pincus seems quite confident that turning down Hartenstein's option for next year doesn't have to mean a parting of ways.
In fact, considering his well-documented impact on the team, along with the fact that both Holmgren and red-shirted rookie Thomas Sorber (out for the season with a torn ACL) have injury baggage attached to them, he believes fans should "pencil in" Hartenstein being back with the Thunder.