Isaiah Hartenstein just learned that his days on the Oklahoma City Thunder are almost certainly numbered. Just how low of a number remains to be seen after the Thunder drafted his replacement in 7'3" behemoth Aday Mara in the NBA Draft.
The Thunder may not win the 2025 NBA Finals without Hartenstein, a coup of a signing in free agency in the summer of 2024. He was a perfect fit for what this team needed: a defensive tidal wave in the middle whose rebounding, finishing touch and underrated passing ability juiced the offense. He and Chet Holmgren have been a fantastic pairing.
Will the Thunder move on from Hartenstein?
Signed to a three-year contract with a team option in year three, this offseason was always going to be a decision point for Hartenstein and the Thunder. New max-level contract extensions kick in for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, significantly increasing the team's payroll and pushing it well above the second tax apron.
Sam Presti has already begun the difficult task of shedding salary for next season. Prior to the NBA Draft, he traded longtime wing Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks, taking back zero salary. Isaiah Joe could suffer the same fate.
The more impactful decisions loom for two starters, Hartenstein and Lu Dort, both of whom have team options for next season. Oklahoma City could wipe nearly $50 million off the books if they decline both, but obviously would then be without two key starters and defensive stalwarts.
The Thunder could suffer through being punitively expensive for one season and both Hartenstein and Dort would come off their books entirely next offseason. They could seek to trade one or both and take back little or no incoming salary. They could work out new long-term extensions that lower the salary for 2026-27.
Can they replace Hartenstein?
Part of their ability to move on from either key player will depend on finding replacements for each. The Thunder need wing stoppers and Dort is one of the best, but they do have Cason Wallace ready to step in.
At center, the Thunder drafted Georgetown big Thomas Sorber in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he suffered a season-ending injury before he ever played a game for them. They cannot know if he is ready to step up.
In the playoffs, however, their need for quality big men was thrown into sharp relief. Victor Wembanyama is a force like has never been seen before in the NBA. Oklahoma City has to have the size to counter him if they want to take back their Western Conference throne next season.
All that led to Tuesday night's NBA Draft.
The Thunder drafted Hartenstein's replacement
With the 12th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Thunder selected 7'3" Michigan center Aday Mara. The starting center on the national championship Michigan Wolverines, Mara is a strong tower in the paint, the draft's best pure rim protector and an elite shot-blocker.
Offensively, he has the potential to add a 3-point shot, but his work inside is lethal as he uses his length to set up angles for layups, floaters and hooks. He is also a capable passer, something that the Spaniard shares with his German counterpart, Hartenstein.
The Thunder are not hoping to have Holmgren and Mara and Sorber and Jaylin Williams and Hartenstein all under contract for the next three years. Something has to give. Perhaps Sorber is the odd man out for this season and his salary is sent off to another team.
Long-term, however, this is the writing on the wall for Hartenstein. The Thunder have too many mouths to feed as Wallace and Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell all come due for new contracts. Something will have to give. It may not be this season, but soon the Thunder will move on from Isaiah Hartenstein.
The Thunder all but told him so on Tuesday night.
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