The Oklahoma City Thunder are facing the start of their NBA regular season under challenging circumstances, as center Isaiah Hartenstein will be sidelined due to a hand injury. The 7-footer, who inked a considerable deal with the Thunder earlier this year, finds himself unable to contribute on the court after a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand during a preseason matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
Hartenstein's signing was a significant offseason move for the Thunder, who awarded him a three-year, $87 million contract in July. This investment indicates the team's high expectations for him moving forward, particularly with a team option available for the third year. However, the recent setback will see him reevaluated only after five to six weeks, potentially causing him to miss up to 18 games in the early part of the season. This timetable is a setback to the Thunder’s efforts to integrate their new asset fully.
The Thunder General Manager, Sam Presti, acknowledged the challenge of smoothly assimilating both Hartenstein and new addition Alex Caruso into their roster dynamics. In a recent statement, Presti commented, "We're going to need some time with this particular group, especially because we're not trying to wedge [Hartenstein and Caruso] in or have assumptions of how they're going to fit with certain players. We kind of have to allow that to take its course."
Oklahoma City is grappling with broader complications beyond Hartenstein's injury. Their frontcourt depth is further strained with injuries to Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams. The absence of these key big men demands tactical adjustments that could impact their start to the season. This confluence of injuries leaves a significant void, prompting speculation that Ousmane Dieng could see increased minutes. Dieng’s elevation in the rotation is necessitated by this unanticipated preseason adversity.
Given these circumstances, the Thunder might also consider delving into the free-agent market. One potential addition rumored to be under consideration is veteran big man Bismack Biyombo, whose defensive prowess and rebounding skills could provide the Thunder with much-needed stability in their front line during Hartenstein's recuperation period.
This marks a somewhat rocky start for a franchise coming off an impressive 57-win season. The Thunder's strong performance last year has set a high bar of expectations, and any missing components early on could affect their momentum. The ability to adapt and overcome these hurdles will be crucial as they tip off against the Denver Nuggets on October 24, the very team that precipitated Hartenstein's absence with his preseason injury.
Despite these challenges, the Thunder’s management maintains a forward-looking stance, banking on the team's resilience and depth. The unfolding weeks will reveal how well the Thunder can cope without some of their key players and manage the integration of their offseason acquisitions under these less than ideal conditions. With the collective efforts of existing and potentially new team members, Oklahoma City aims to navigate the initial phase of the season until Hartenstein's anticipated return.