Brian Windhorst wonders why the Thunder are exploring center options

Despite watching the start center Isaiah Hartenstein returned from a 16-game absence due to a shin injury, would you Oklahoma City Thunder consider a hub replacement, like ESPN Brian Windhorst alludes to? A longtime NBA insider hears that the Thunder are interested in making a big trade before next week’s deadline.

Without Jaylen Williams, Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell, the Thunder lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-111 in the rematch of the Western Conference finals on Thursday. Oklahoma City’s string of injuries, along with Hartenstein’s contract, are two key reasons why the Thunder would look to make a moveWindhorst said on ESPN’s The Hoop Collective.

“I actually heard the name Oklahoma City Thunder in some trade talk, and you look at this team, and you say, wait a minute, this team has, you know, 66 wins or whatever they had last year, champions, when they were healthy this year, they were unstoppable,” Windhorst said.

“Why would the Oklahoma City Thunder’s name be there? And why would the Oklahoma City Thunder’s name be there potentially looking at centers?”

Would the Thunder front office consider moving on from starting center Isaiah Hartenstein? Windhorst believes that’s a possibility, given that Hartenstein has a year left on his current contract, which is a team option coming up. Amidst a ton of injuries as Oklahoma City has struggled, going 8-6 in its last 14 games.

Perhaps the Thunder are looking for frontcourt depth for the second half of the regular season and the playoffs, which ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also mentioned. Considering the many setbacks Williams has endured since his All-NBA campaign last season, Oklahoma City undoubtedly missed his approach to NBA All-Defense, as he missed the first 19 games of the season with a right wrist injury.

Then Williams suffered a hamstring injury, forcing him to play six of the last six consecutive games.

Thunder players react to Isaiah Hartenstein’s return

The Thunder missed their starting center. Thunder teammates reacted to Isaiah Hartenstein’s long-awaited return ahead of Thursday’s game against the Timberwolves. Isaiah Joe discussed what Hartenstein’s greatness was sure missed in the last 16 games.

“It helps with size. It helps with everything – he’s an all-around player,” Joe said. “He rebounds, he screens, he creates action. He makes it easier for everybody else on the floor. Just having him out there can be dangerous. So getting him back is a big deal.”

Thunder veteran Lou Dort says Hartenstein’s impact on the glass is just one of many ways the defending champions’ starting center has been missed.

“It’s great, especially the impact it has on rebounds,” Dort said. “It’s hard for him to get out of the paint. So that’s going to help, definitely.”

The Thunder will look to bounce back from a 12-point loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday against the Nuggets.