It's no secret that the Los Angeles Lakes will be looking to upgrade the center position this coming offseason. It's among GM Rob Pelinka's most important tasks. Deandre Ayton has been entirely too inconsistent for the Lakers to rely on moving forward, at least in a starting capacity. Jaxson Hayes, meanwhile, is set to enter unrestricted free agency.
It's difficult to predict who Pelinka will turn to for big man reinforcements. With guys like Jalen Duren and Jarrett Allen probably sticking with their current squads moving forward (despite Duren's restricted free agency), Pelinka might be praying that the Oklahoma City Thunder decide to decline Isaiah Hartenstein's team option for 2026-27, making Hartenstein available for hire.
Lakers praying that Thunder decline Isaiah Hartenstein's team option
From a basketball standpoint, the Thunder obviously would be interested in picking up Hartenstein's team option. His rugged rebounding prowess and soft floater game have served as perfect complements to Chet Holmgren. But it's the $28.5 million figure of Hartenstein's option that might force Thunder general manager Sam Presti to move on from Isaiah.
OKC is already paying Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jalen Williams a combined $124 million next season. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Joe represent another $31 million on top of that. Then, Presti has team options beyond Hartenstein's to consider, involving key contributors like Lu Dort ($18.2 million), Cason Wallace ($7.2 million), and sharpshooter Jared McCain ($4.4 million).
Hartenstein might become a cap casualty of the Thunder, but it all depends on how Presti decides to balance his bills.
Isaiah Hartenstein had the Lakers' front office salivating in Game 2
Game 2 of this Lakers-Thunder series was a perfect example of Hartenstein's value, and it likely had Pelinka doubling down on his inner convictions that Isaiah would make a perfect Laker. Hartenstein tallied 10 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and two steals on 5-of-6 shooting from the field in 27 minutes -- a model of efficiency and winning basketball.
What's more, Hartenstein still has many years left in his career, having just turned 28 on May 5. If and when Oklahoma City decides to move on from Hartenstein this summer, you best believe that Pelinka will be making some phone calls immediately. Not only would the Lakers do much to fix one of their greatest weaknesses by adding Hartenstein, they'd also be taking away a key piece from a Thunder team that looks entirely too loaded at the moment.
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