There have been few players more valuable to the Oklahoma City Thunder over the past two seasons than Isaiah Hartenstein.
His size, rebounding feel, and screen-setting abilities allow him to take the floor with virtually any combination of players, granting the team ample versatility in their rotation. At times he's a scorer, at others a dominant defensive presence, and at others simply a veteran leader when the team most needs it. In an ideal world, he's on the roster for the remainder of this iteration of the team.
But the new CBA's harsh financial restrictions will soon have something to say about that. With extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren kicking in this offseason, Oklahoma City will need to make a tough decision about Hartenstein's $28 million player option for 2026-27.
It would be a heartbreaking reality, but Thunder fans must soon make peace with the fact that Hartenstein might not be returning for next season. If that's the case, Oklahoma City will need to find a replacement that performs, at the very least, Hartenstein's defensive role.
In a recent mock trade drawn up by Greg Swartz at Bleacher Report, they do exactly that, nabbing Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons. This would be a controversial acquisition, to say the least.
Isaiah Stewart could be a highly intriguing replacement if the Thunder ultimately part with Hartenstein
Let's start by saying that it seems very unlikely Detroit would trade Stewart unless there was some bigger move they were attempting to make this offseason. But, for the sake of argument, let's toss that aside.
Swartz has the two teams conducting a straight swap, with the Thunder sending out Alex Caruso in exchange for Stewart. Caruso has been a highly valuable member of Oklahoma City since his arrival prior to last season. But with the emergence of Ajay Mitchell and the acquisition of Jared McCain, the team's backcourt is rapidly filling up.
Stewart, meanwhile, would be the perfect acquisition from a standpoint of identity and physicality. Although he stands at just 6'8", he's one of the most physical and staunch defenders in the league. He's a gritty player who's willing to do whatever it takes to win, and that's exactly what Oklahoma City would need were they to replace Hartenstein.
He's not a negative on the offensive end, either. Through 55 games this season, he's averaging 10 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while knocking down 54.1% of his field goal attempts. With Holmgren emerging as one of the league's premier rim-protectors, pairing him alongside Stewart (even in double-big lineups) would be absolutely formidable.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, would have team control over the final two years of Stewart's rookie extension were they to trade for him this offseason, which comes in at a reasonable annual cap hit of $15 million.
Of course Stewart has had his controversial moments, including his recent seven-game suspension for his involvement in a scuffle with the Charlotte Hornets. But the Thunder must consider all options as they attempt to re-shape their roster this offseason.