As the trade deadline approaches, the Oklahoma City Thunder will likely be one of the only teams to sit back on their haunches and watch things unfold.
For the most part, they have no reason to do otherwise. They are currently 37-9 with 5.5 games in hand on the San Antonio Spurs for the one-seed in the Western Conference. They have dropped some games here and there, but they are still the championship favorites.
However, they do have some cap implications to think about this offseason. All three of Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Kenrich Williams have club options. Ousmane Dieng will be a restricted free agent.
If they were to bring all of these players back, they would be well over the second apron. To avoid this reality, they would need to make a move at the deadline with the intention of shedding salary.
If they ultimately do nothing at the deadline, Hartenstein could prove to be the odd man out this offseason.
Isaiah Hartenstein is as good as gone this offseason if Thunder's deadline stance holds strong
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As rumors have swirled surrounding players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, and Ja Morant, Oklahoma City has been understandably missing from these discussions. They have built up remarkable chemistry across their roster over the past few seasons. There's little reason to disrupt that mid-campaign.
Nevertheless, the second apron will come for them this offseason.
Dieng is as good as gone considering how little impact he's made on the rotation. Williams will be brought back if there is enough money to cover his option. The problem of Dort and Hartenstein is considerably more difficult.
By most metrics, Hartenstein is more [valuable to the team](https://thunderousintentions.com/okc-thunder-isaiah-hartenstein-return-could-soon-change-everything). He's averaging 11.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and three assists through the 24 games he's played this season. He allows them to play with flexibility and insurmountable size in the frontcourt when they choose to.
Dort, meanwhile, is [having a down year](https://thunderousintentions.com/okc-thunder-unfortunate-truth-about-lu-dort-must-accept) from a production standpoint. Through 36 games, he's averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while knocking down just 33.8% of his attempts from 3-point range.
However, the difference lies in the finances. Hartenstein is owed $28 million on his club option for 2026-27. Dort is owed $18 million.
Dort has been with the team since 2019, proving himself integral to their defensive structure and their championship-winning chemistry. Therefore, it seems almost certain that Hartenstein will be the one to go this offseason.
If the Thunder decide not to make a move at the deadline, solidifying their cap situation for the offseason, Hartenstein's worst nightmare could come true.