The Los Angeles Lakers' odds of stealing Isaiah Hartenstein improved with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Western Conference Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs. With the Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams extensions kicking in, OKC is projected to be $28 million over the second apron next season. The Thunder might have run it back if they were going for a 3-peat, but their Game 7 defeat means changes are coming.
Hartenstein has a $28.5 million team option for next season. OKC will only decline it if they can work out a longer-term deal at a lesser annual salary. The more likely avenue is accepting it and looking to trade I-Hart. This would get the Thunder some additional draft capital, and the Lakers have the cap space to make it happen.
Oklahoma City will make moves. They already have 15 players under contract and have two first-round draft picks to make room for. The Thunder would like to cut their payroll, and fans know Sam Presti is always building his assets. They may look to move on from multiple players, but the Lakers hope Hartenstein is one of them.
Lakers odds of stealing Isaiah Hartenstein from the Thunder just went up
Hartenstein averaged 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.8 blocks in 24.2 minutes per game this season. He shot 62.2 percent from the field and scored 1.32 points per possession as a roll man. His defense, rebounding, and work as a screener would make him the perfect fit next to Luka Doncic in Los Angeles.
The Lakers need more talent around their superstar. They have been searching for a long-term answer at the five since they traded for Luka. Number 77 wants an elite roll man and rim protector to maximize his game. Hartenstein checks every box.
Lakers fans will remember Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking a shot at I-Hart after Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Was that the first sign that Hartenstein was the odd man out? Nobody knows. OKC could try to trade Lu Dort and Isaiah Joe to dodge the second apron. Presti may even shop J-Dub or Chet if he thinks OKC can improve elsewhere.
Los Angeles had no shot at getting Isaiah Hartenstein if the Thunder repeated as NBA champions. There was no way OKC was ditching their starting center after winning back-to-back titles.
Now, the door is open. Sam Presti loves flexibility, so the Thunder likely dodge the second apron. Teams will be lining up to improve their roster. Oklahoma City has the deepest roster in the NBA. Several franchises will chase Hartenstein, but the Lakers' cap space gives them an edge. They wouldn’t have to send back any matching salary in a trade. OKC can save money, and the Lakers can finally get Luka the center he’s been waiting for.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a shot to steal Isaiah Hartenstein from the Thunder this offseason. The odds went up with OKC’s exit. Rob Pelinka will make the call, but pulling off a trade with Sam Presti is never easy. Hartenstein is the perfect fit, so do not rule it out. Fans will just have to stay tuned to see how it all plays out.
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