Isaiah Hartenstein is considered almost certain to remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder into the 2026-27 season. The Thunder hold a $28.5 million option upon Hartenstein that they are expected to either pick up or possibly negotiate a longer contract at a lower annual salary amid their luxury tax and apron concerns.

Hartenstein has had a highly productive first two seasons with the Thunder after signing a three-year, $87 million contract during the 2024 offseason. Hartenstein has been particularly valuable in the Western Conference playoffs against the likes of Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama.

The Thunder face a similar situation with Lu Dort, but they are expected to pick up their $17.2 million option with the possibility of a trade. Despite Dort's status as one of the longest tenured veterans on the Thunder and his close friendship with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he is considered more expendable than Hartenstein. The Thunder could replace Dort with a combination of more minutes for Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso. Oklahoma City drafted center Thomas Sorber in 2025, but he missed the entire 2025-26 season.

The Thunder won the 2025 NBA championship despite not being in the luxury tax, but their roster is suddenly getting considerably more expensive as extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren come online at 25 percent of the salary cap.