Report: Thunder could trade away 1 key starter from championship team

The Oklahoma City Thunder could potentially be moving on from IHartRadio.

Oklahoma City is considering the possibility of trading away center Isaiah Hartenstein, Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported Friday during an episode of “The Hoop Collective.” Windhorst notes that Hartenstein’s name has come up in “some trade chatter” ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

The seven-footer Hartenstein was a very impactful starter for the Thunder during their NBA championship run last season. He provided a big-big dynamic in the starting lineup alongside Chet Holmgren and was crucial in matching up against centers like Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert in the playoffs.

This season, Hartenstein is averaging 11.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. But he just recently returned from a 16-game absence due to a soleus strain, forcing the Thunder to figure out how to play without him over that stretch.

Hartenstein’s contract could also make him pretty appealing to opposing teams. He is making $28.5 million this season with a $28.5 million team option for next season, meaning that he can effectively be treated as a large expiring contract.

The Thunder (who now sit at 38-11 after losing four of their last seven games) would obviously miss Hartenstein’s rebounding and general size, particularly in playoff matchups. But if they can flip him into a cheaper seven-footer (especially with their complicated long-term cap situation), Oklahoma City may have to seriously consider that.

H/T NBA Reddit