The Western Conference Finals have been an incredible viewing experience for most around the league, but fans of the Atlanta Hawks may feel the opposite way while watching for one specific outcome.
People have speculated that Isaiah Hartenstein could become available this offseason, and naturally, the Hawks have been brought up as an ideal situation for his services. In order to bring him in, though, they need the Thunder to either decline his team option and let him walk, or simply out-bid them in the open market.
As the NBA Finals reach closer, it's becoming as clear as ever that Oklahoma City needs him, making Atlanta's dream of bringing him in be nothing more than just a dream.
Letting go of a valuable big in a Wemby-led conference would be silly
They've got the upper hand on Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs for now, but it won't be long before it becomes their annual finals spot to lose. Oklahoma City needs to capitalize on this window as much as possible, and keeping Hartenstein may become one of their biggest priorities in doing so.
He's no alien, but he's a perfect modern big capable of providing a strong counter to the league's best centers. He's no negative on the offensive end either, giving his team an underrated playmaking boost, as well as being an undeniable rim presence on both ends.
He brings incredible size to an already advantageous OKC frontcourt, standing seven-feet tall with the necessary weight to anchor a unit. Truth be told, the Thunder wouldn't be the reigning champions without him, and they won't win many more if they let him go elsewhere in free agency.
Now, it's almost a certainty that they'll run into San Antonio every year of their ring window, so parting ways with a proven paint beast makes even less sense than before. Chet Holmgren, while an incredible shot-blocker, lacks the physicality needed to stop Wembanyama on his own.
Hawks need to follow a similar philosophy while shaping their frontcourt
It's no secret that the Hawks lack an ideal modern frontcourt. They bring everything teams dream of offensively, but simply lack the size and toughness down low to elevate them into contention. In a critical offseason, many expect them to address this weakness that was badly exposed by the New York Knicks.
Hartenstein would make all the sense in the world for them. He would fit right into what they're building and give them the additional boost on both ends they've been long searching for.
As long as the Thunder take down the Spurs this year, though, the idea of bringing him in becomes much less likely.
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