The Thunder’s frontcourt has turned into one of the team’s most defining traits, and now Oklahoma City may be ready to lean even harder into it.
Last season, OKC really committed to the double-big look, with Chet Holmgren sliding to the four and Isaiah Hartenstein anchoring the five. It was a setup that didn’t exactly look seamless at first, but by the time media day rolled around, Hartenstein was calling it one of the team’s real strengths.
“When we started the first three games, we were like, this might not work at all,” Hartenstein said. “But I think we have gotten to the point where it’s actually one of our strengths.
Again, when you have a coach like Mark, you give him different ways where he can operate, different lineups he can put in. And again, we just have to be ready for whatever lineup he puts out there.”
That pairing became a major one-two punch for the Thunder this year, and the depth behind it could make the look even more flexible moving forward. Oklahoma City added two more big men to the mix in Aday Mara and Thomas Sorber, giving the roster another layer at a position that already mattered plenty.
Mara, OKC’s first selection in this year’s draft, fits the Hartenstein mold. He brings defense first, but he also has the kind of passing touch from the block that can keep an offense moving. Sorber, meanwhile, is set to make his debut after missing all of last year with a knee injury.
For Hartenstein, the job now includes helping Mara get settled into the league and into Oklahoma City’s system.
“I haven’t seen much, to be honest, but I’m excited just to have a guy that I can just kind of help out throughout the process,” Hartenstein said. “Again, I wouldn't be where I'm at without other people helping me out to get to where I'm at.”
With that kind of support in place, the Thunder have real room to keep using double-big lineups whenever they want. What started as a useful wrinkle last season now has a chance to become a much bigger part of what makes Oklahoma City dangerous.
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From Oklahoma Citys side, the appeal is obvious enough to follow the breadcrumbs. The Thunder have an open roster spot, plenty of draft capital and the kind of salary cap flexibility that can make a low-cost deal easier to navigate, while Knechts rookie contract adds longer-term appeal for a team that likes to keep optionality in play. Whether the Lakers actually move him soon is the unresolved piece, but OKC has the profile of a team ready to pounce if he does become available. [Read more 🡒]
Forgotten Thunder Veteran Suddenly Has A Real Opening In OKC
The Thunders offseason reshuffling has created a cleaner path for several familiar faces, and Kenrich Williams is one of the veterans who could benefit. With Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell positioned as clear winners from the roster turnover, Williams also stands to see more meaningful minutes thanks to the blend of experience and shooting he brings to Oklahoma City.
Williams has also been paying close attention to rookie Aday Mara, even after a Summer League showing that drew mixed reactions. He pointed to Maras defensive tools and overall upside as reasons for patience, which fits the Thunders broader habit of valuing growth as much as immediate production. For a team that keeps finding ways to mine value from overlooked pieces, Williams remains part of the conversation. [Read more 🡒]