The 2026 NBA Finals are upon us, and it feels like a holiday season for basketball fans across the globe. As we await a rematch between the San Antonio Spurs & New York Knicks, 27 years in the making, it’s safe to say the OKC Thunder aren’t feeling the holiday cheer.
The Western Conference Finals fallout is inevitable
Losing to the Spurs wasn’t in their plans, but now the Thunder must pivot and prepare for the 2026 NBA Draft, where they have the 12th overall pick. It’s one of many offseason moves General Manager Sam Presti will make, and the biggest question surrounding their free agency is what will happen with center Isaiah Hartenstein.
He averaged 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during the Western Conference Finals. It was a disappointing performance for the majority of SGA’s supporting cast, and Hartenstein was no different, finishing the series with a -33 +/-.
With free agency looming, Presti must make a decision if the German-American is worth the $28.5 million price tag and the inevitable raise that will come after. If he allows the 28-year-old to walk at the peak of his powers, he could fall right into the Hawks' hands.
Figuring out the right deal for Hartenstein won't be easy
Hawks General Manager Onsi Saleh has around $29 million in salary cap space this summer, but Atlanta’s front office has its own share of decisions to make. Jonathan Kuminga has a $24.3 million club option, and if they decide to pick it up, signing Hartenstein will become significantly harder.
The 23-year-old Congolese Forward averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 16 games for the Hawks. Although he had a polarizing regular season, he gave massive contributions to the Hawks' two playoff wins over the newly-crowned Eastern Conference Champions.
Atlanta could use his athleticism moving forward, and they could draft NCAA Champion Aday Mara with the eighth overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Bringing in the Spaniard fulfills Isaiah’s potential role as the Hawks' new rim protector, so with a backup plan in place, the Hawks can make the phone call with no real pressure.
Hartenstein secured an $87 million deal, with $58 million guaranteed. Atlanta can offer him a yearly salary of $29 million, the sweet spot for his desired pay scale. It’s unlikely he’ll take a pay cut after getting a raise following his departure from the New York Knicks, but Saleh has worked his magic in the past, so fans should be optimistic as free agency approaches.
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