Heading into the year, many believed Isaiah Hartenstein to be a lame duck player of sorts, as it was widely believed that the OKC Thunder would inevitably opt out of his club option for 2026-27 in an effort to duck under the dreaded luxury tax.
Parting ways with his $28.5 million salary alone would do the trick.
However, through this first half of action in 2025-26, the impact that Hartenstein has had on this dynasty-pushing squad has been undeniable. So much so, in fact, that The Athletic's Sam Vecenie is actively thinking up ways to make trades in the now with the aim of keeping I-Hart around for the entirety of his contract.