The Oklahoma City Thunder are so spoiled with the amount of talent on their roster that they can afford to only get 10 minutes from a strong role player like Isaiah Hartenstein and still blow the brakes off the Los Angeles Lakers in a one-sided 123-87 win. The Lakers should take notes.
The Thunder have taken a cautious approach with Hartenstein throughout the season, managing his injuries with extra care due to the abundance of options behind him. They want their guy ready and as healthy as possible for the postseason. What happens after that, though?
Both Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will have their rookie extensions kick in during the 2026-27 season. Not so coincidentally, Hartenstein has a $28.5 million team option for the upcoming campaign that Oklahoma City can choose to decline to help balance the books.
There are other methods the Thunder can explore to help accomplish those goals as well. With their treasure chest of draft picks, any maneuvers to remodel should be largely easy for them, too. However, if they choose the path of least resistance and simply let Hartenstein walk, the Lakers should pay attention.
Isaiah Hartenstein could give the Lakers an upgrade over Deandre Ayton
The Lakers have to spend their cap space somewhere. One of the main areas of focus will undoubtedly be to find a long-term fit at the center spot for Luka Doncic.
Getting a guy like Jalen Duren or Walker Kessler would be best for the Lakers. However, both of them are going to be restricted free agents. Nabbing one of them could prove easier said than done, especially by comparison to going after a potential unrestricted option like Hartenstein.
The Thunder center does so many good things on the court that Doncic would love. Hartenstein is a good screener and should be a solid pick-and-roll partner for Luka. The veteran big man also crashes the boards hard, and can even create extra opportunities with his offensive rebounding. Plus, Hartenstein is a capable option to have as the defensive stronghold at center.
Deandre Ayton continues to prove time and time again that a long-term partnership with the Lakers does not make sense for the team. The moments of optimism with the former first overall pick are typically followed with the usual frustration that can be expected from the Ayton experience.
Hartenstein had to work hard to truly establish himself as a mainstay in the NBA. That type of dedication helps players mold into ideal role players.
That is all the Lakers really need at the end of the day. They need a guy who is going to do the few things asked of him extrememly well. Hartenstein can be that man, and it would be a step up from Ayton.