Thunder sign Isaiah Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins
The Oklahoma City Thunder are reportedly signing Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year contract worth $87 million.
The best big on the free agent market, the 26-year-old is a proven postseason contributor who will complement the team's defensive and playmaking strengths while adding size and rebounding to a frontcourt lacking both. Hartenstein's salary is front-loaded in year 1 of the deal and year 3 is non-guaranteed. Per DT's Brandon Rahbar, Hartenstein is coming in with clear expectations on where he fits with the Thunder--as a key player who will provide flexibility around starting center Chet Holmgren.
OKC also re-signed Isaiah Joe (four years, $48 million) and Aaron Wiggins (five years, $47 million), after declining team options for both to clear the way to the long-term arrangements. Both deals provide hikes in 2024-25 salary for the role players on team-friendly deals.
Hartenstein wants to be a part of what OKC is building and knows he will play a key role for the West's #1 seed with Chet Holmgren as the primary center.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 1, 2024
Sam Presti has been aggressive and successful in securing his targets so far this offseason. The team has now added Alex Caruso, Hartenstein, and rookie Dillon Jones to the 2024-25 roster. Presti spent OKC's 2024 lottery pick on Nikola Topic, who will spend the year rehabbing his partially torn ACL, and moved Lindy Waters in a series of moves to acquire Ajay Mitchell in the second round of the draft.
OKC’s new roster additions summary:
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) June 28, 2024
Nikola Topić will get a redshirt season on the roster.
Dillon Jones will be on the 15 man roster.
Ajay Mitchell likely to be a two-way player.
Alex Ducas is a two-way player.
Malevy Leons is an Exhibit-10 player.
Updated Thunder roster
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 1, 2024
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
Lu Dort
Alex Caruso
Isaiah Hartenstein
Cason Wallace
Isaiah Joe
Aaron Wiggins
Jaylin Williams
Kenrich Williams
Ousmane Dieng
Nikola Topić
Dillon Jones
Stacked roster with a lot of lineup possibilities.
The frontloaded aspect will take up precisely the remainder of the Oklahoma City Thunder's cap space.
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) July 1, 2024
They have the $8 million room mid-level left to spend. https://t.co/i58xZP5wSm
There is still room for more moves big (unlikely) and small (likely) this summer, but the Thunder have already had a successful offseason. The #1 seed will head into next year with skill and fit upgrades throughout the rotation.
In other words, this is one year you can enjoy your July 4th festivities without worrying about the Thunder.
