Isaiah Hartenstein addressed his future with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder following the team’s 2026 playoff exit, emphasizing each his connection to the franchise and the uncertainty surrounding his contract scenario throughout his end-of-season interview on Sunday, Might 31.
When requested straight about his future and the upcoming staff possibility, the Thunder heart pointed to the timing of the dialogue whereas making his stance clear. “Yeah, I imply we simply misplaced yesterday and so on the finish of the day I feel it’s one thing that shall be mentioned extra on the finish,” he stated. “Yeah, I like being right here. I like the group, however lots of it’s of their fingers after which I feel them and my agent will discuss. It’s a enterprise on the finish of the day, however once more simply no matter occurs I’m actually grateful.”
Hartenstein additionally highlighted the private aspect of his time in Oklahoma Metropolis, particularly his reference to the area people. “The neighborhood is massive,” he stated. “Since I acquired right here I actually began connecting with the neighborhood and simply how they method giving again, how they method being selfless and so yeah, it’s all the time an enormous factor. I feel me and basically the entire Oklahoma Metropolis have gotten fairly shut fairly quick.”
He pointed to the group’s dealing with of accidents and rotation adjustments all through the season as a key think about participant improvement. “We had lots of younger guys that needed to step up and I feel they did an incredible job of doing that,” he stated. “The group put them in conditions that they are often able to step up in these conditions and so once more, you by no means wish to take care of the accidents, however I feel it additionally helps sure gamers simply be put in numerous roles.”
Oklahoma Metropolis leaned closely on youthful contributors throughout its postseason run, a stretch that included a seven-game Western Convention Finals sequence towards San Antonio. Hartenstein famous how his defensive obligations developed, particularly in matchups towards elite frontcourt expertise. “Yeah, I feel I did job,” he stated of guarding Victor Wembanyama. “I acquired him more often than not to the stuff I wished to get him to… I feel I sort of proved that I can defend gamers like that.”
The Thunder’s method all through the season, notably throughout adversity, was additionally a recurring theme in his remarks. “Making excuses isn’t going to alter something on the finish of the day,” he stated. “I feel simply what makes the group staff fairly particular is that all of us have sort of the identical mindset of simply controlling what you’ll be able to management.”
