Thunder Superstar Discusses Newest Front Court Addition

The Oklahoma City Thunder have sen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander take the stand for media day where he discussed the latest addition this summer with the signing of Isaiah Hartenstein.
Mar 31, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks to get past New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein (55)  at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Mar 31, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks to get past New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images / John Jones-Imagn Images
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This summer, the Oklahoma City Thunder made a massive move inking Isaiah Hartenstein to a three year $87 Million Pact, representing their largest free agent signing in team history.

With this move, the Thunder catapulted themselves into contender status becoming the odds on favorites to win the Western Conference and the second best odds to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June. The Bricktown ballers won 57 games a year ago, nabbing the No. 1 seed out West and vastly bolstered their roster this offseason.

Hartenstein plugs the Thunder's biggest hole from a year ago providing much-needed front-court depth. Oklahoma City also made a gutsy swap to ship Former No. 6 overall pick Josh Giddey to the Windy City for defensive ace Alex Caruso.

On Monday, the OKC Thunder held their annual media day where superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a chance to take the podium to be peppered with questions about the newest additions.

"Very versatile. I think he has a little bit more than what we've seen from his career so far, so we're excited to see that unfold," Gilgeous-Alexander said "I played with him at Nike Hoops Summit when I was coming out of high school. He's versatile, strong, can play with it, without it. He's a better jump shooter than we've seen. He will get opportunities here."

Gilgeous-Alexander will benefit greatly from both additions with Hartenstein's screen setting ability, Caruso's floor spacing on offense to match his defensive prowess.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will begin training camp on Tuesday and open up their preseason slate on Oct. 7 in San Antonio in a matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.


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Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network.