The Revamped OKC Thunder Frontcourt Will Be Elite
Oklahoma City basketball fans have plenty of reasons to be excited for the upcoming NBA season at Paycom Center. The signing of center Isaiah Hartenstein creates a dynamic frontcourt pairing alongside rising star Chet Holmgren, giving head coach Mark Daigneault an incredibly versatile lineup to deploy.
Addressing the Need for Size
During last season’s playoff run, OKC struggled against larger, physical frontcourts. While Chet Holmgren had an historic rookie campaign, anchoring the paint by himself for 82 games took a physical toll. The roster lacked a secondary physical presence to secure key defensive rebounds.
Isaiah Hartenstein solves this issue. Standing 7-feet tall and weighing 250 pounds, the veteran big man brings elite offensive rebounding and screen-setting, protecting Holmgren while transforming a team weakness into a strength.
Why This Frontcourt Pairing Works
What makes this revamped frontcourt dangerous is how perfectly Holmgren and Hartenstein complement each other. Holmgren offers elite rim protection and perimeter shooting, stretching opposing defenses. Meanwhile, Hartenstein dominates the paint, ranking among the league’s best in offensive rebounding and short-roll passing.
When sharing the court, this duo creates a dual-threat look that does not sacrifice spacing. If a defender helps on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s drives, Hartenstein can punish them on the glass while Holmgren remains a threat from deep.
| Attribute | Chet Holmgren | Isaiah Hartenstein |
|---|---|---|
| Defense | Helpside rim protection | On-ball post defense |
| Offense | Shooting and floor spacing | Screening and passing |
| Physicality | Agile and long | Strong and physical |
Unlocking the Guard Rotation
The benefits of this revamped frontcourt extend to the guards. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams will find driving lanes much wider. Hartenstein is one of the best screen-setters in the league, meaning OKC’s ball-handlers will get cleaner separation at the top of the key.
Additionally, Hartenstein’s passing ability from the elbow allows OKC to run complex cutting plays. Defenders cannot simply clog the paint to stop Shai’s drives without leaving Chet open on the perimeter.
What to Watch for This Season
As the season gets underway, watch how Daigneault structures his rotation. While we will see both big men sharing the floor, the coaching staff will also stagger their minutes. This ensures that Oklahoma City maintains 48 minutes of elite rim protection and high-level center play every night.
Pay attention to early-season matchups against physical Western Conference rivals like Minnesota and Denver. These games will show how well the team can dictate the physical tempo on both ends of the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will playing both bigs hurt floor spacing?
No, because Holmgren is an excellent perimeter shooter, allowing Hartenstein to operate inside the paint without clogging driving lanes. - How does this help Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
Hartenstein’s screen-setting will free up Shai, while Chet’s shooting prevents defenders from collapsing in the paint. - Who will start at center?
Coach Daigneault can start both big men together for a giant lineup or bring Hartenstein off the bench depending on the opponent. - How does this affect OKC’s rebounding?
Hartenstein is an elite rebounder, which directly addresses the team’s primary weakness from last season.
To get the most out of this season, watch how the coaching staff utilizes early-season home games at Paycom Center to experiment with these frontcourt lineups as they prepare for a deep playoff run.
Revamped OKC Thunder Frontcourt Will Be Elite
