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The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the market for a center in free agency. That search has them focused on unrestricted free agent Isaiah Hartenstein of the New York Knicks.

The Knicks have Early Bird rights for Hartenstein, which limits them to offering him a starting salary around $17 million for next season. The Thunder project to have $35 million in cap space to offer a free agent.

One source said Oklahoma City's interest in Hartenstein is "real". A suggested path could be to offer Hartenstein a larger initial salary than New York can, but on a short-term deal of two years. That would leave the Thunder with flexibility moving forward, in case the signing didn't work out.

Via Stefan Bondy/New York Post

OKC should draft Edey

The Thunder can have Frankenstein.

really like this fit despite any spacing issues ... Hartenstein can do everything else at a high level and this really levels up their defense

think it's gonna hafta be a significantly more lucrative offer to lure himi away tho. but @ least this way Presti gets to keep all of his precious picks. he kina let the team down (again) by not being more aggressive at the deadline.

I want to say Doooo Itttt, as the Thunder need someone who is ready to win NOW. Hartenstein would be a great addition to their team. But, at what cost? OK, they've gotta beat the Knicks $17M, probably by quite a bit just to kill any secret handshake deals he might have with the Knicks. But if they are paying $25M/yr, wouldn't it make more sense to go after Poeltl from the Raptors? OKC has a plethora of picks that they can't use to add to the roster. They HAVE to be traded to get some upgraded players. The Knicks can't trade IH, but the Raptors can trade Poeltl, and his cheaper deal. Plus Poeltl is in his prime now and locked in for 4 years.

After the Raptors traded away OG and Siakam, they are clearly not in win now mode, but are hoping to start a rebuild like OKC has successfully done recently.

It just makes more sense for OKC to target Poeltl. Stats wise and play wise, Hartenstein and Poeltl are almost identical. One is a better passer, the other can play above the rim more (but that is what Chet does anyway.) Poeltl is the better fit. Actually, now that I think about it, it isn't even close. Poeltl scored 3 PPG more, and sets screens better, which really helps players like SGA. Use advanced stats, and again Poeltl wins.

Two years $40 million will be enough to land IHart. Thunders can throw in a player option for a third year.

thunder would be favored to win it all next year if he signs hes that good and thats all the thunder really need just alittle more size

It won’t happen.

elmdawgg69 wrote:Two years $40 million will be enough to land IHart. Thunders can throw in a player option for a third year.

Nah, Hartenstein would just sign a 1+1 deal with the Knicks, then opt out and sign a $25M+ deal the next year. He's already said he wants to stay in New York. I'm fully expecting a 1+1 with a secret handshake deal for next summer. But if the right overbid comes along, then he HAS to chase the money right?

niha17 wrote:thunder would be favored to win it all next year if he signs hes that good and thats all the thunder really need just alittle more size

I don't think so. He's good, they're good... but favorites?

Pickled Prunes wrote:

niha17 wrote:thunder would be favored to win it all next year if he signs hes that good and thats all the thunder really need just alittle more size

I don't think so. He's good, they're good... but favorites?

They were pretty good without him, not to mention Chets only gonna get better. Which begs the question. Why overpay for what will be your backup C. You need a solid one for sure and I think IHart is solid but for them idk that that warrants overpaying for one.

Nazrmohamed wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

niha17 wrote:thunder would be favored to win it all next year if he signs hes that good and thats all the thunder really need just alittle more size

I don't think so. He's good, they're good... but favorites?

They were pretty good without him, not to mention Chets only gonna get better. Which begs the question. Why overpay for what will be your backup C. You need a solid one for sure and I think IHart is solid but for them idk that that warrants overpaying for one.

Thats the point. Chet dont got enough bricks in his pockets to play C. They want to move him to the 4 and have IHART start at Center. similar to what AD want the lakers to do

ReddOktober wrote:

Nazrmohamed wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:I don't think so. He's good, they're good... but favorites?

They were pretty good without him, not to mention Chets only gonna get better. Which begs the question. Why overpay for what will be your backup C. You need a solid one for sure and I think IHart is solid but for them idk that that warrants overpaying for one.

Thats the point. Chet dont got enough bricks in his pockets to play C. They want to move him to the 4 and have IHART start at Center. similar to what AD want the lakers to do

Sure, he would be a nice pick up. But if Hartenstein is the difference between a 2nd round exit and a title, you can butter my bread and call me Nancy. OKC would have lost to DAL, even if they had Hartenstein. OKC is not one borderline-starting-center away from being title favorites.