Oklahoma City is not letting its big man get away.
Isaiah Hartenstein intends to sign a new three-year deal to stay with the Thunder through 2028-29, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday night. With what he has already made in Oklahoma City, the commitment reaches five years and $134 million guaranteed.
The Thunder had possessed a $28.5 million team option for Hartenstein next season, but he now takes a new multiyear deal at a lower yearly number. That matters in Oklahoma City right now. The Thunder are staring at a brutal tax bill once the max extensions for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams land, and spreading Hartenstein’s money over more years is how they keep the band together without paying a record-setting penalty.
The Thunder are still looking at one of the most expensive rosters in the league.
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2026: AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2026: AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2025: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2024: Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2023: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2022: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2021: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2020: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2019: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2018: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2017: Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2016: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2015: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2014: Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers (traded two months later to Minnesota Timberwolves)
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2011: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2010: John Wall, Washington Wizards
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2007: Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2002: Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2000: Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1998: Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1997: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
(TOM MIHALEK, AFP via Getty Images)
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1996: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1995: Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1994: Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1993: Chris Webber, Golden State Warriors
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1992: Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1991: Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1990: Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets
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The Thunder signed Hartenstein in the summer of 2024 to a three-year, $87 million contract, and people thought it was an overpay. But he gave Oklahoma City a center who rebounds, protects the rim and can pass, and the Thunder won the franchise’s first championship in Oklahoma City in 2025.
This spring, Hartenstein made San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama in the Western Conference finals work hard before the Thunder fell in Game 7. He averaged 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists on the season.
The 28-year-old German was taken 43rd in the 2017 draft. Free agency begins June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why are the Thunder re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein through 2028-29?
