OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma City Thunder signed New York Knicks Isaiah Hartenstein to a 3-year contract for $87 million.
The team gained a valuable center who has established himself as a quality player this past season, according to ESPN.
Hartenstein took on the role for the Knicks after Mitchell Robinson suffered an ankle injury in December.
The Thunder also resigned Isaiah Joe to a 4-year deal and Aaron Wiggins to a 5-year deal.
The Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be solidifying the team’s depth in the long-term future.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that the Thunder are declining team options on Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins for 2024-25. This decision was made to clear “the way for the team to work with both players on long-term deals in July.”
Joe was set to earn $2.1 million on the option while Wiggins would have made $2 million. Both players would have become unrestricted free agents following the 2024-25 season.
Joe averaged 8.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 78 games in 2023-24. Wiggins averaged 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 78 games. The duo started a combined five games, but this production was key for a Thunder team that took a big step forward in 2023-24.
Oklahoma City went 57-25 and earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. It would advance to the second round of the playoffs but would eventually fall to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.
The story of the team centered around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, but Wiggins and Joe played roles in keeping the pace when the starters needed to rest. While a cheaper option may have been to let the two play on options, committing to them long-term could be what helps the team develop a culture that surrounds its young stars.
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