Thunder Weigh Costly Team Options as Hartenstein, Dort and Williams Voice Wish to Stay
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Oklahoma City’s season ended Saturday with a Game 7 loss to San Antonio in the Western Conference finals, but the organization’s next deadline arrives at the end of June, when it must decide whether to keep Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort and Kenrich Williams under contract for 2026/27.
The Thunder project a payroll of roughly $196.2 million next season with 12 players already signed. Exercising all three team options — Hartenstein at $28.5 million, Dort at $18.2 million and Williams at $7.2 million — would push total salary well past the projected $221.7 million second-apron threshold and trigger the most severe tax penalties.
General manager Sam Presti also holds picks Nos. 12 and 17 in the upcoming draft, and any first-rounder carries two guaranteed seasons, adding to the potential roster and budget squeeze.
Williams made his position clear. “It’s no secret that I want to be here until I’m done playing,” the reserve forward said, citing Oklahoma City’s culture and work environment.
Hartenstein, the starting center, sounded receptive but emphasized that the choice rests with the front office. “I love being here. I love the organization, but it’s a lot in their hands,” he said. “Them and my agent will talk. It’s a business at the end of the day.”
Dort, the longest-tenured Thunder player, echoed that sentiment. “I have a lot of trust in this organization, in Sam,” the starting forward noted. “My main goal is to stay here.”
Oklahoma City has until the league’s late-June option deadline to finalize its decision on all three contracts.
Source: HoopsRumors
