Isaiah Hartenstein is widely expected to remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder next season, with both team and league sources anticipating the two sides will find a path to keeping him together even as the franchise confronts a mounting financial burden.

Hartenstein carries a team option of $28.5 million for 2026-27. Whether Oklahoma City picks up that option outright or restructures the deal into an extension, the organizational expectation points firmly toward his return, sources said. Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Thunder in the 2023 offseason after establishing his value with hte New York Knicks.

With Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs emerging as Oklahoma City's primary long-term rival in the Western Conference, thinning out frontcourt depth would represent a step backward. Hartenstein demonstrated his value in the conference finals by recording several effective defensive sequences against Wembanyama before the Thunder fell in seven games.

Oklahoma City's team salary is projected at $250.5 million next season before free agency, draft picks, and option decisions are resolved, placing the club well past the second apron. Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren alone will command $123.8 million in combined salary next season, up from $58.5 million this year, with that figure climbing to $150.8 million in 2027-28.

Hartenstein expressed a desire to stay with the Thunder following their elimination.

The Thunder drafted center Thomas Sorber last June, but he missed the entire season with a torn ACL.