3. Signed Isaiah Hartenstein
Signed center Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $87 million contract with a third-year team option.
The Oklahoma City Thunder identified a clear need after last season: size and rebounding. Chet Holmgren was one of the league's best rim protectors as a rookie, and his shooting from the center position opened up the Thunder's offense, but when Holmgren was off the court or against certain matchups the team didn't have a way to change up their approach.
Enter Isaiah Hartenstein, the best free agent center on the market, who signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Thunder. Oklahoma City trumped the best offer the Knicks could offer by a significant amount, and in so doing they used their ample cap space this year to add an impact player at a position of need.
It's not clear whether Hartenstein will start (moving Holmgren to the four) or come off the bench, but he will likely play significant minutes both with and without Holmgren. He is not a floor-spacer like Jaylin Williams, Holmgren's primary backup last season, but he is an extremely skilled offensive player with his passing, screening, finishing, and rebounding.
This Isaiah Hartenstein over-the-head pass is wild 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2023
Knicks-Pacers | Live on the NBA App pic.twitter.com/Rm6gi2JxYF
What's more, his rim protection is top-tier as well, and the combination of Holmgren and Hartenstein will be extremely formidable next season. It also ensures that the Thunder will have such a player on the floor at all times, instead of cobbling together an opportunistic defense forcing turnovers and taking charges.
Hartenstein brings the Thunder size and versatility in building lineups, and they can better match up with the larger teams contending in the West. The question now is whether the Thunder will lose some of the impact of their five-out offense by playing a more traditional big man.
Could they have better improved the team with their cap space than spending it on a center? Perhaps, but Hartenstein is a really good player and will help the Thunder in multiple ways.
Overall, it's a great move.
Grade: A-