Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein has agreed to a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to sources reported by ESPN. Leaving the New York Knicks, Hartenstein joins the top-seeded Western Conference team, bringing his size, skill, and physicality to the Thunder.


At 26, Hartenstein proved himself a valuable starting center for the Knicks last season, stepping up after Mitchell Robinson's ankle injury in December. His performance contributed significantly to the Knicks' successful season, where they won 50 games and secured a playoff series victory for the second consecutive year, a feat not achieved since 2000. Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds over 75 games, starting in 49 of them, and maintained a field goal percentage of 64.4%.


Hartenstein was one of just three players last season to record at least 85 blocks and 85 steals, and he limited opponents to shooting under 53% at the rim. Besides his elite defense, he is known for his vision and playmaking abilities, though these were not heavily utilized in Tom Thibodeau's offensive scheme.


Hartenstein began his career with two seasons at the Houston Rockets before moving to the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and LA Clippers. He then signed a two-year contract with New York in the summer of 2022.


Due to only having early Bird rights on Hartenstein, the Knicks could offer him a maximum of four years and $72.5 million.


The Thunder also secured long-term extensions with key reserves Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, confirmed league sources. Wiggins agreed to a five-year, $47 million contract, while Joe signed a four-year, $48 million deal.


The Thunder declined relatively small team options on Joe ($2.1 million) and Wiggins ($2 million) with the intention of locking them into multiyear deals.