Why The Thunder Should Work More Of Its Offense Through Isaiah Hartenstein

The big man's efficiency and passing should be explored even more.

May 20, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) dribbles the ball and looks to pass during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game two of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There’s an argument for the Thunder’s big man to get more touches next season. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s offesne will look a little different next season, as a roster shakeup has sent some solid rotational players to other destinations in the league. This has opened the door for OKC to allow other players to step up and take over more responsibility in the offesne, so the team can figure out what works best. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will no doubt still get their touches and be the primary offensive weapons on the team, but what if the Thunder started working through another player as well? 

When you think of Isaiah Hartenstein, you think of a physical defender in the paint who is pretty good at passing for a big man. However, he could have the necessary skills to get more touches and even carry a heavier load in the offense. 

Hartenstein averaged 9.2 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game. These offensive numbers don’t seem to stand out on the surface, but it’s deeper than that. Hartenstein averaged over nine points and only shot about six shots per game. He ended the year with a shooting percentage of 62.2%, the best on the roster. The big man didn’t score a lot, but he did so efficiently and could get the team an easy bucket when it needed it the most. 

Additionally, more touches for Hartenstein would make it much easier for him to facilitate the ball. He’s easily one of the best playmaking centers in the league, as he facilitates the ball at the high post and is a nightmare for defenders in pick-and-roll scenarios. Allowing for more of these situations to happen would create easy points for other players, or if they guess Hartenstein is trying to pass, he could hurt them with an easy floater. 

Hartenstein getting more touches could also help take the pressure off Gilgeous-Alexander. Everyone on the court makes sure to know where he is at all times and tries to make it as difficult as possible for him to score. Hartenstein facilitating more could allow the star guard to work off-ball and give himself easier looks. 

The Thunder will have to try out new things this year on the offensive side of the ball to see what style of play works best for its team, and one of the newest ways the team’s offense could thrive would be with Hartenstein getting more touches.