Center Isaiah Hartenstein. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Thunder keep getting defensive, continue monster offseason

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Jul 1, 2024 11:10 AM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder finished 11th in the NBA in total defense last season, allowing 112.7 points per game.

The team has already had a big offseason and on paper should be even better on the defensive end in 2024-25.

The Thunder are reportedly planning to sign big man Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $87M contract to shore up their frontcourt.

NBA experts lauded the move on Monday morning and StatMuse pointed to how Hartenstein could help an already stacked Oklahoma City squad.

The Thunder were 2nd to last in OREB last season.

Isaiah Hartenstein was 2nd in OREB% last season (minimum 75 games). pic.twitter.com/6bmrVwgVMj
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 1, 2024

Players with 85+ STL and 85+ BLK last season:

1st Team-All Defensive player
1st Team-All Defensive player
Isaiah Hartenstein pic.twitter.com/8velgdsFoJ
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 1, 2024

Hartenstein is a tremendous fit in Oklahoma City. He doesn't just help with their rim protection and rebounding. Also fits perfectly into their mode of quick decision-makers. OKC offense is all about screening quick, passing quick, cutting quick. Hartenstein is the ideal player.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 1, 2024

The seven-footer played in 75 games (including a career-high 49 starts) during the 2023-24 season with the New York Knicks and posted high marks in rebounds (8.3), assists (2.5), steals (1.2) and minutes per contest (25.3). Hartenstein also shot an elite 64.4% from the floor and finished second in the NBA in offensive rating (136.2), fifth in offensive rebounds (244) and fifth in defensive rating (108.1).

The Hartenstein acquisition comes after the Thunder recently picked up former first-team All-Defensive team member Alex Caruso in a trade that sent star guard Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls.

Oklahoma City also agreed to new long-term deals with shooting guards Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe on Monday.

Traded for Alex Caruso
Signed Isaiah Hartenstein
Re-signed two important rotation pieces (Joe, Wiggins)

The Thunder are having their ideal offseason. https://t.co/mSySvPsybG
— Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) July 1, 2024

Isaiah Hartenstein was 2nd in steals among centers last season.

Alex Caruso was 3rd in steals among guards last season.

The Thunder were 2nd in steals as a team. pic.twitter.com/ELod4hAzrE
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 1, 2024

The franchise has only been to the NBA Finals once since moving from Seattle to Oklahoma City and becoming the Thunder in 2008. The Thunder haven't been past the second round of the playoffs since 2016. With one of the most loaded rosters as July begins, the group may finally break those droughts in 2025.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

More must-reads: