The Los Angeles Lakers should be looking to build around Luka Doncic this summer, and improving their center rotation should be a top priority. Isaiah Hartenstein is a name that has been floated around for a while, but he has a team option with the Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Thunder decline it in hopes of saving cap space, then the Lakers can work in free agency. But if they accept it, LA may have to try to trade for Hartenstein.
Adding a guy like Hartenstein would help the Doncic-led Lakers begin to assert themselves as a perennial title contender. But everything depends on the summer. They need to figure out what the Thunder are going to do this summer, and from there, they can figure out how to attack the Hartenstein situation.
That said, targeting Hartenstein this summer should be at the top of the Lakers’ list of goals.
Lakers need to sign or trade for Isaiah Hartenstein this summer
Hartenstein is one of the most underrated bigs in the NBA, largely because he’s been a complementary guy in OKC for the past couple of seasons, often playing alongside Chet Holmgren.
OKC handed him a huge contract, stealing him away from the New York Knicks, but now, he has a team option for the 2026-27 season, and the Thunder are in a tough financial spot.
The Thunder are pressed up against the second apron, and they could be forced to make some tough roster decisions this summer. And considering they already have Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, and even Branden Carlson, Hartenstein could be a guy they decide to cut.
For the Lakers, that should be their signal to pounce. If the Thunder simply decline Hartenstein’s team option, they should be ready to offer the big man a bag in free agency.
However, if the Thunder accept his team option and decide to trade him, in hopes of getting some value back in return, the Lakers should still be very interested.
If LeBron James leaves LA this summer – whether that be via retirement or free agency – the Lakers should have money to work with. That could help them complete a trade for Hartenstein, even if it means giving up draft capital.
Hartenstein’s interior defense, passing, and pick-and-roll abilities would pair beautifully alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves moving forward. He’s a perfect target for the Lakers this summer.
So, no matter if they go after him via free agency or on the trade market, the Lakers need to target Hartenstein this offseason.
Add us as a preferred source on Google