{"id":202550,"date":"2026-06-27T06:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T10:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=202550"},"modified":"2026-06-27T04:06:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T08:06:37","slug":"isaiah-hartenstein-okc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/06\/27\/isaiah-hartenstein-okc\/","title":{"rendered":"Isaiah Hartenstein Extension Keeps OKC Big and Bulky"},"content":{"rendered":"

After what seems to be a rollercoaster set of trades<\/a>, OKC’s latest move now makes sense: Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a> is finally here to stay for three more years with the Thunder as they seek to stay big and bulky heading into the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n

The Oklahoma City center is expected to land a new three-year deal, ensuring they will keep his defensive and rebounding services in the years to come as they try to compete for a championship after winning it back in 2025. IHart’s contract situation<\/a> has been on the radar of many teams, but Sam Presti’s genius work<\/a> now shuts them all down with this unprecedented move.<\/p>\n

For starters, many fans and experts were expecting to see a Lu Dort<\/a> extension, considering how the latter has been a crucial part of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a>‘s development with the team, and is one of the few players remaining from the 2020 Thunder squad. With Hartenstein now moving to be a crucial piece in the years to come, OKC stays big, and they’re definitely more than geared to battle against the rest of the league with their rebounding flaw covered.<\/p>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

Isaiah Hartenstein Extension Keeps OKC Big and Bulky<\/span><\/h2>\n

Rumors claim it would be a $75 million offer, meaning the center would get around $23 to $25 million per year, depending on which year has the bigger deal. The Aaron Wiggins-Isaiah Joe trades now make sense, as OKC saves around $161 million in fines as they try to work around not getting below the second apron. With Hartenstein now staying for more years, it’s safe to say that the championship window for the Thunder is staying open longer than it was expected to be.<\/p>\n

IHart Extension Gives OKC More Muscle<\/h3>\n

Over the years, Oklahoma City has been criticized for not having enough muscle to control the boards and even being a strong contender amongst the Western Conference teams. IHart’s addition was a huge win back in the 2024 offseason, and the 2025 championship was proof it worked. Now that the challenge is getting even harder, keeping Hartenstein’s services<\/a> away from other teams is such a huge win. Chet Holmgren<\/a>, as we all know, isn’t a bulky center like IHart, but he does provide the spacing and the scoring punch that they need, except when it comes against Victor Wembanyama<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Isaiah Hartenstein reacts to his contract extension on Instagram. pic.twitter.com\/t3EsaeREHz<\/a><\/p>\n

— SleeperThunder (@SleeperThunder) June 27, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n